If you've been searching for a way to fix the garden without the constant worry of plant disease, the new generation freedom boxwood might just be the answer you're after. For a long time, gardeners and professional landscapers alike were actually starting to give up on boxwoods. In between the dreaded boxwood blight and those annoying leafminers, it felt like these classic shrubs were more trouble than these were worth. But issues have changed lately, and this specific variety is the big reason.
The "NewGen" collection was basically made to save the particular reputation of boxwoods. The new generation freedom boxwood (often just known as NewGen Freedom) isn't just another pretty rose bush; it's a vegetable that was bred in order to be tough. It's got a quicker growth rate compared to most of the cousins and a natural resistance to the issues that will used to destroy off entire hedges in a single season.
Why This Range is Changing the Game
We remember talking in order to a neighbor the few years back again who had in order to rip out twenty-year-old English boxwoods mainly because of blight. It was heartbreaking. That's exactly why the new generation freedom boxwood has become this type of sizzling topic in the garden world. It had been particularly selected because it can handle the pressure of Boxwood Blight without falling apart.
Yet it's not simply about resisting condition. Among the best things about this plant is usually how quickly it fills in. If you've ever planted traditional boxwoods, you know they may be painfully sluggish to grow. You're often waiting years for them in order to look like anything more than tiny green dots in the mulch. The Freedom variety grows about three or more to 6 ins annually once it's established. That might not sound like significantly, but in the field of boxwoods, that's virtually a sprint.
It also has this beautiful, glossy green foliage that retains its color actually well. A lot of old varieties often convert a weird bronze or orange color when the winter season wind hits them, which can create your garden look a bit very sickly. That one stays the deep, rich natural throughout every season, which is exactly what you want from a good evergreen.
Growth Habit and Look
When you're planning a garden, you need to know how big something happens to be going in order to get therefore you don't accidentally swallow up your walkway. The particular new generation freedom boxwood has a naturally rounded, somewhat taller-than-wide habit. Still left to its very own devices, it'll ultimately reach about 5 feet tall and 5 feet large, though it's really easy to keep it smaller with a set of shears.
Because it increases in a fairly uniform, dense method, it's a fantasy for anyone which likes that clear, structured look. The leaves are somewhat bigger than what you'd see on the Winter Gem or an English boxwood, which gives this a bit more of a "lush" feel. It's thick enough to hide a foundation or even create a low-to-mid-sized privacy screen, but it's not so aggressive that it feels overwhelming.
How it Differs from NewGen Independence
You might see an additional variety sitting right next to it at the nursery known as NewGen Independence. Whilst they're from the particular same family, they serve different reasons. While Freedom is the "fast grower" that gets a bit taller, Independence will be the "slow and steady" one that stays smaller and boxy. If you want a tall hedge quickly, go with the new generation freedom boxwood . In case you want the tiny, formal border around a flower bed that you rarely ever have to prune, Independence is definitely probably the much better bet.
Looking after for Your New Generation Freedom Boxwood
Even though these plants are "tough, " they aren't made of plastic. They still require a little love in order to look their best. The good news is that they aren't particularly picky.
Sunlight and Soil
The particular new generation freedom boxwood will be pretty versatile with regards to light. It can handle full sunlight just like a champ, but it's also flawlessly happy in part shade. If you live somewhere in which the summer season sun is totally challenging, a little evening shade won't hurt, but generally, it's never going to scorch simply because easily as the older varieties.
As for dirt, the most important thing is drainage. Boxwoods hate "wet feet. " In case you plant them in a spot where water pools right after a rainstorm, they're going to struggle. They prefer ground that's slightly acidic to neutral and rich in organic matter. If you've obtained heavy clay, it's worth mixing in some compost before you plant to help the water shift through.
Watering and Mulching
When you very first put them in the ground, you've got to stay upon top of the watering. They need an excellent soak once or twice per week (depending on the heat) until their roots obtain settled. Following a 12 months or two, they're actually quite drought-tolerant.
1 trick I usually recommend is an excellent coating of mulch. Boxwoods have relatively superficial roots, so the 2-inch layer of wood chips or even bark helps keep all those roots cool plus moist. Just don't pile the mulch right up contrary to the main stem—give it an inch or two of "breathing room" to avoid rot.
Making use of Them within your Surroundings
The beauty of the new generation freedom boxwood is definitely how many ways you can use it. Given that it's so proof to pests and disease, you can feel confident using it because a "backbone" plant in your style.
- Official Hedges: This is actually the classic make use of. Since it grows fairly fast, you may get a strong, 3-foot hedge in just a couple of periods. It takes in order to pruning incredibly well, so you can keep those edges sharp and clear.
- Base Plantings: If you have got an ugly concrete floor foundation at the particular base of your property, these types of are perfect regarding hiding it. These people stay green just about all winter, so your house doesn't appear bare in Jan.
- Container Gardening: Believe it or not, these perform great in planting pots. Since they have a naturally rounded shape, they look amazing in large planters flanking an entry way or on an outdoor. Just make sure the pot offers drainage holes!
- Mixed Edges: I really like seeing these nestled in with perennials like lavender or hydrangeas. The deep green of the boxwood makes the shades of the flowers pop.
Dealing with Pests and Deer
One of the biggest headaches for gardeners will be deer. It feels like as quickly as you flower something nice, the deer comes along and treats this like a salad bar. Thankfully, deer generally leave the new generation freedom boxwood on your own. They don't like the taste of boxwood leaves, so unless they are totally starving, they'll usually walk right previous them to eat your hostas instead.
And then there's the particular boxwood leafminer. In the event that you've seen boxwoods with puffy, yellow-spotted leaves, that's the leafminer at function. While no boxwood is 100% "immune, " the NewGen series was particularly tested because of its ability to resist these types of pests. In most cases, the new generation freedom boxwood will remain obvious of them, at least handle them a lot better than the old-school varieties would.
Trimming Tips for Success
You don't possess to prune these plant life, but most people perform simply because they want that will tidy look. The particular best time in order to prune is in late spring or early summer, right after the first big flush of new growth has started to harden away from.
Try to avoid pruning too past due in the fall. If you cut them back in October, the plant might attempt to put out new, tender growth that'll proper zapped by the 1st frost. Also, just a little tip: when you prune, try in order to thin out the middle of the herb a bit. This particular allows more air flow and light to reach the inside, which keeps the plant healthy and stops any fungus from moving in.
Is it Worth the Switch?
Honestly, if you're fed up with replacing useless shrubs every several years, the new generation freedom boxwood is definitely worthy of the investment. It might cost a few dollars more in the garden center than an universal boxwood, but you're paying for the particular comfort. You're obtaining a plant that won't die the particular second a blight spore wanders into your yard, and you're getting something that will actually develop at a visible pace.
Whether you're seeking to create the classic English backyard look or you just want some easy-to-care-for greenery around your own porch, this range hits all of the correct notes. It's difficult, it's beautiful, plus it's finally producing boxwoods fun in order to grow again. Don't be afraid in order to give them the try this season—your garden (and your stress levels) will most likely thank you regarding it.