Eastern Performance Trials - Part I.
Forget the English and American box. If you want boxwood, opt for one of the new cultivars that should be hitting your local garden centers in spring of 2006. Some of these, grown at Saunders Brothers in Piney River, VA, were recently on display during this year's inaugural Eastern Performance Trials sponsored by the Garden Centers of America.
One of my favorites was Buxus sempervirens 'Dee Runk,' pictured left, with sort of a funky form and great deep green color. It'll reach about 12 feet high by 3 feet wide, and tolerates sun or shade and a range of soil conditions. It's cousin, Buxus sempervirens 'Fastigiata,' gets a little wider, and is truly another winner. According to nursery owner Robert Saunders, both outperform the similar old standby, Buxus sempervirens 'Graham Blandy,' which he calls "a dog" unless it's planted in exactly the right soil and location.
( click on image for larger view)
These boxwoods and others were on display at the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society in Alexandria, VA, where they've been permanently installed.
Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Justin Brouwers,' pictured right, is said to be a terrific replacement for English boxwood, especially when it's used for edging. "It's ten times easier," said Saunders, and reaches "about 20" x 20" in 15 years or so.
Other cultivars of interest include Buxus microphylla 'Grace Hendrick Phillips.' It can be used like Helleri holly: it's got the same low, spreading form sans the problems.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Green Beauty' is a medium to fast grower, tolerates a range of soil conditions in sun or shade, and in winter conditions, says Saunders, -- unlike English boxwood -- "snow would not break it open." Now that's a real advancement. It ultimately reaches 3' x 4' and the color, he says, is "a super deep rich green."
Finally, for all those box enthusiasts up north, there's one cultivar hardy to Zone 5, 3' x 4' size, same growing conditions as Green Beauty, and with a strong formal outline.
It's Buxus microphylla 'Jim Stauffer,' also known as Jim's Tru Spreader.
While some of these boxwoods have been around for awhile, Saunders began evaluating all of them anew in the late 1990s in various environments around the country. The best ones have now been put into production and should be at garden centers this coming spring. See the Saunders Brothers website for further information regarding the trials and other cultivars of interest.
Photos courtesy of Saunders Brothers
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