News New Varieties
Partnership announces first scientifically bred blight-resistant boxwood

Plant Development Services Inc. and Tree Town USA have partnered to introduce the first collection of scientifically bred blight-resistant boxwood in the industry.

The Better Boxwood series is the result of over 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, both leaders in the fight against blight in Europe for 20 years. The Better Boxwood series will offer four different blight resistance varieties each with a unique size and form to fill any Boxwood need.

The newly formed partnership named Boxwood Solutions Inc. will begin taking liner orders in September 2021 for Spring 2022 delivery to grower partners across Canada and the United States.

David Kirby, Executive Vice President of Tree Town, highlights the need for improved genetics in the boxwood market: “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. The four uniquely shaped Better Boxwood varieties will fill a wide variety of landscape needs.”

The Better Boxwood line will be available to consumers beginning in Spring of 2023.

Plant Development Services Inc. was founded in 1996 by Greg Smith of the third generation, family-owned Flowerwood Nursery, Inc, and is based on Alabama. TreeTown USA, founded in 2001, is a privately owned business headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 14 farms totaling over 6,700 production acres across Texas, Florida, Oregon, and California. It recently acquired a West Coast Division, including Village Nurseries and Hines Growers.