The English call it ‘boxwood’. In France they say ‘le buis’. We Kiwi gardeners know it simply as ‘box’. Buxus has, for centuries, been a defining presence in gardens around the world. Shaped into striking geometric patterns, it brings a powerful sense of order to grand formal gardens. Long-loved in domestic gardens too, as neat borders and sculpted topiary, box adds year-round appeal.
For many years, Buxus was a reliable, easy-care feature. Things changed in the 1990’s when, firstly in the UK and Europe, box hedges started collapsing due to a previously unknown blight. By the late 1990’s, Buxus blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) was detected in New Zealand. It had become a major issue globally.
In 2007, a specialist grower in Belgium, in conjunction with the ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) began a meticulous research and breeding programme. After thirteen years of careful crossing and selection, and tens of thousands of seedlings, a scientifically proven, blight-resistant Buxus reached the European market in 2020.
Selected primarily for its excellent blight resistance, Better Buxus® Renaissance stands out from the crowd in other ways too. Its exceptionally healthy, glossy green foliage densely clothes a naturally rounded form. Slower growth than other varieties means Better Buxus® Renaissance needs less frequent trimming.
Best of all, there is no more worrying about your hedge developing ugly brown patches. With no need for spraying, that’s a win-win for the gardener and the environment too!
Such is the demand in Europe and the UK that, for now, Better Buxus® Renaissance is reserved for heritage gardens only. It’s more exciting news for Kiwi gardeners however. Brought to us by Kiwiflora International via Robinson’s Nursery, Better Buxus® Renaissance is available in New Zealand garden centres from autumn 2026.
· Trim as required (usually in early spring and late summer)
· Water deeply during dry spells
· Feed with controlled release fertiliser in early spring
