Boxwoods at the Scott Arboretum

Each year the Scott Arboretum participates in the National Boxwood Trials published by Paul Saunders of Saunders Brothers Nursery. As a cooperator of this program, we evaluate 13 cultivars of boxwood annually.

Buxus sempervirens 'Vardar Valley' is a PHS Gold Medal winner. photo credit: J. Coceano

The evaluation process is relatively simple.   We evaluate for “grower friendliness” on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being “easy” and  1 being “difficult,” and “impulse cosmetics” with 5 being “wow” and 1 being “ugly.”  We also record additional comments which often include notes on pest and disease problems.

Buxus sempervirens 'Newport Blue' has an attractive rounded form. photo credit: J. Coceano

For the 2011 National Boxwood Trials the following boxwoods received 5 in both categories in our trials: ‘Dee Runk’ and ‘Pyramidalis’ are beautiful upright cultivars.  ‘Jensen’ is a dwarf clone. ‘Vardar Valley’ is a PHS Gold Medal recipient. ‘Longwood’ and ‘Newport Blue’ are good rounded forms.

Buxus sempervirens 'Longwood' is also ranked highly as a rounded form of boxwood. photo credit: J. Coceano

Saunders Brothers, who specialize in boxwoods, have developed the National Boxwood Trial program by establishing official sites for evaluation. Trial sites are located throughout the United States and international gardens including Tbilisi Botanical Garden in the Republic of Georgia; Nikita Botanical Gardens, Ukraine and Langely Boxwood Nursery in England.

Buxus sempervirens 'Jensen' is a dwarf clone. photo credit: J. Coceano

In the United States, the 60 institutional trial sites are divided regionally including Northeast, Mid-Atlantic , Southern, and Midwest Regions.  The Scott Arboretum has been a participant for many years as part of the Northeast Region.

Buxus sempervirens 'Dee Runk' is a beautiful upright cultivar. photo credit: J. Coceano

Copies of this 129-page color report are available for $20.00 each.  Make your check payable to National Boxwood Trials and send to 2717 Tye Brook Highway, Piney River, VA 22964