NewGen Independence Boxwood - Blight Resistant Evergreen Hedge

Enjoy the beauty of classic boxwood without the worry of devastating disease. The NewGen Independence Boxwood is a disease-resistant, compact evergreen shrub engineered for superior health and longevity in modern landscapes. This revolutionary landscape breakthrough has become the top choice for homeowners and professionals seeking boxwood elegance with genuine blight resistance. With its proven immunity to boxwood blight and naturally dense branching, the NewGen Independence Boxwood transforms high-risk areas into thriving green spaces. The lustrous dark green foliage maintains exceptional year-round color while the plant's vigorous, healthy growth creates stunning hedges and borders while resisting the fungal diseases that have devastated traditional boxwood plantings. Unlike conventional boxwood varieties that remain vulnerable to catastrophic blight outbreaks, these disease-resistant evergreens provide reliable performance and peace of mind that actually increases as your landscape matures.

Why You'll Love the NewGen Independence Boxwood

Genuine Blight Resistance: The breakthrough resistance to boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) reaches 3–4 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide at maturity, making this the perfect choice for landscapes where boxwood blight has previously struck or where disease pressure is high, finally allowing you to grow beautiful boxwoods with confidence.

Vigorous Healthy Growth: Space plants 24–30 inches apart for hedges or 3–4 feet apart for specimen plantings, and they quickly establish into robust, disease-free barriers. These blight-resistant evergreens have earned recognition from universities and research institutions as the most significant advancement in boxwood breeding in decades.

Superior Disease Package: Resistant not only to boxwood blight but also to common boxwood diseases including Volutella blight and root rot. Once established, the NewGen Independence Boxwood thrives in conditions where traditional boxwoods struggle, maintaining vigorous growth and pristine foliage even in humid climates.

Reliable Long-Term Investment: A low-maintenance landscaping choice due to its strong disease resistance, moderate growth rate, adaptability to various conditions, and excellent heat tolerance - perfect for homeowners who've lost boxwoods to disease or want to avoid the heartbreak of blight-damaged plantings.

NewGen Independence Boxwood Details

• Botanical Name: Buxus sempervirens 'SB 108' (NewGen Independence)
• Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
• Mature Size: 3–4 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate — 4–6 inches per year
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained; adaptable to loam, clay, or sandy soil
• Water: Moderate; tolerates brief dry periods once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: NewGen Independence Boxwood performs well in various soil types with pH ranging from 6.0–7.5, including clay, loam, and amended sandy soils. However, well-drained soil with good organic content produces the most vigorous growth and strongest disease resistance, and waterlogged or compacted soil should be improved to prevent stress.

Light Requirements: Excels in full sun to partial shade (4–8 hours of direct sunlight daily). For optimal density and disease prevention, plant in locations with good air circulation and morning sun, which helps dry foliage and reduce fungal disease pressure. Tolerates more sun than many English boxwood varieties without leaf scorch.

Hardiness: Thrives in USDA zones 5–9, making it suitable for diverse climates from New England through the South and into the Pacific Northwest, withstanding winter temperatures as low as -20°F with proper establishment.

Care Instructions

Watering: Water deeply 2–3 times weekly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system that supports disease resistance. Once established, water during dry periods, providing approximately 1–1.5 inches of water per week. Apply 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch to maintain consistent soil moisture and temperature, keeping mulch away from the stem.

Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, or lightly shape in early summer after spring flush hardens. NewGen Independence Boxwood responds well to formal shearing for tight hedges or can be maintained with minimal pruning for a natural rounded form. Always use clean, sanitized pruning tools to prevent disease spread, especially important in areas where boxwood blight exists.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for evergreens in early spring (such as 10-10-10 or specialized boxwood fertilizer). A second application in early to midsummer supports continued vigorous growth and disease resistance. Proper fertilization strengthens the plant's natural defenses and promotes the dense growth that makes this variety so disease-resistant.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: NewGen Independence Boxwood's versatility makes it suitable for:

• Formal Hedges & Property Lines: Create elegant medium-height hedges (24–48 inches tall) that define spaces, provide privacy screening, and frame landscapes with traditional beauty and modern reliability
• Foundation Plantings: Anchor home exteriors with symmetrical groupings that remain healthy and attractive for decades without disease concerns
• Replacement Plantings: The ideal choice for replacing diseased or dead boxwoods in established landscapes, restoring formal gardens without repeating past failures
• Mixed Borders: Combine with perennials and shrubs to provide evergreen structure and year-round backbone in mixed planting beds
• Formal Gardens: Perfect for historic properties, estate gardens, and formal landscapes where boxwood is essential but blight has been problematic
• Commercial Landscapes: Excellent for high-visibility commercial applications where plant health and appearance are critical

Peace of Mind Landscaping: Unlike traditional boxwood varieties that can be devastated by blight overnight, the NewGen Independence Boxwood provides dependable performance in the face of disease pressure. Its resistance allows you to confidently plant boxwoods in areas where blight is present, near infected properties, or in humid climates where fungal diseases thrive, finally making boxwood landscapes sustainable again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant NewGen Independence Boxwood for a hedge?
For a formal hedge that fills in relatively quickly, space plants 24–30 inches apart (center to center). For individual specimen shrubs or a more open planting, space them 3–4 feet apart. The 24–30 inch spacing creates a continuous hedge within 3–4 years while maintaining adequate air circulation that helps prevent disease, even in humid conditions.

How fast does NewGen Independence Boxwood grow compared to other boxwoods?
NewGen Independence Boxwood grows at a moderate rate of 4–6 inches per year once established, similar to common American boxwood but with far superior disease resistance. This growth rate is faster than dwarf varieties like Baby Gem but more controlled than faster-growing screening plants, providing steady, manageable growth that develops into a substantial hedge within 4–5 years.

Is NewGen Independence Boxwood truly resistant to boxwood blight?
Yes, NewGen Independence Boxwood has demonstrated exceptional resistance to boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) in rigorous university trials and real-world conditions. While no plant can be guaranteed 100% immune, this variety has shown no infection or minimal symptoms even when surrounded by heavily infected plants. It's part of the NewGen series specifically bred and selected for blight resistance at the National Arboretum and Saunders Genetics programs.

Can I plant NewGen Independence Boxwood where I previously had boxwoods die from blight?
Yes, NewGen Independence Boxwood can be planted in locations where blight-infected boxwoods previously grew, though best practices include removing all diseased plant material, cleaning up fallen leaves and debris, and waiting several months before replanting. Its resistance allows it to thrive even in soil where blight spores may persist, making it the best option for restoring boxwood to gardens affected by this devastating disease.