Efforts to Build a Better Boxwood Pay Off

Posted by Brian Sparks|September 22, 2020

Plant Development Services Inc. and TreeTown USA are partnering to introduce Better Boxwood, a collection of scientifically bred blight-resistant plants.

The series is the result of more than two decades of breeding and trials in Europe led by Belgium grower Didier Hermans in cooperation with the Flemish Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research. The Better Boxwood series will offer four different blight-resistant varieties, each with a unique size and form.

The newly formed partnership named Boxwood Solutions Inc. will begin taking liner orders in September 2021 for spring 2022 delivery to grower partners across the U.S.

“Our expertise in licensing and marketing, coupled with TreeTown’s production engine and nationwide reach, will allow this series to make an immediate impact in the marketplace,” says Kip McConnell, Business Development Director with Plant Development Services.

“Understanding the importance of boxwood to the North American landscape and the devastating effects of the boxwood blight, we are proud to provide consumers and landscape professionals with the largest collection of new varieties actually bred for blight resistance,” says David Kirby, Executive Vice President of TreeTown USA, highlighting the need for improved genetics in the boxwood market. “The four uniquely shaped varieties will fill a wide variety of landscape needs.”