Winter 2020
The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Magazine
The BOXWOOD
REVOLUTION
Save the Date for
MANTS
JANUARY 6–8, 2021
HOW DOES OUR INDUSTRY SUCCEED? By building and investing in stakeholder relationships; sharing info on a regular basis; maintaining our focus on the bigger picture and not on possible differences; staying connected and teaming together anywhere and everywhere we can. Jeff Fedorchak Vice President, Corporate Affairs of TruGreen First, I want to say THANK YOU for all of the work you are doing in being advocates for the folks in our industry during these very different times. The information that I see coming from you is much needed… and APPRECIATED! Aaron Simmons Superintendent of Parks and Maintenance Dept of Parks, Recreation and Events The City of Fredericksburg
I just wanted to let you know that you’re doing an amazing job of keeping everyone updated with COVID-related updates. I have had plenty of messages from turfgrass professionals and I can quickly point them to VTC’s timely updates. Keep up the good work, from a socially isolated place of course. David McCall Assistant Professor VT Turfgrass Pathology
Want to send a quick note of thanks, as VTC is doing a fantastic job in communicating with the membership. I have been forwarding your emails to other state associations and distributors. Zenon Lis Burlingham Seeds
Your e-blasts and info are reaching folks. One of our employees quoted you and your hard work. Phil Bailey Virginia Green
You are crankin’ it up! This is such a massive pivot in a short time. Thanks for all your hard work.
Thanks for everything you’re doing for the industry, you should be earning combat pay at this point! Jeff Fedorchak TruGreen
Thank you so much for always being informative! We greatly appreciate you! Amy Thomas Reynolds Landscaping
Just wanted to tell you that VTC is doing a good job at communicating to the industry what is going on. Thank you for your leadership as we all try and figure out how to survive during these difficult times. Patrick Connelly Landscape Supply
Richard Lindsay MowCow We appreciated your information that you provided us, it was very helpful. Thank you for the letter justifying our work during this situation. I travel to multiple jurisdictions so I’m concerned about how each one might interpret the governor’s order. I believe this will help should I be questioned about my travel. Barry Robinson Sustainable Horticulturist & Agriculture Consultant
I do not know if VTC is receiving enough congratulations for their work during all of this. Being at home and pumping out information through emails may not seem like much, but for those of us who are leaving our families and asking our employees to enter harm’s way, and without much of a playbook, I can tell you what you are doing is a lot. Chad Peevy Assistant Director of Grounds and Landscapes Old Dominion University
The VTC is working diligently to keep our industry alive during this epidemic, and I can’t say enough how relieving it is to know that I still have full capability to provide for my family!
Thank you, VTC for all of your efforts to help minimize the disruptions to the industry during this time.
Alex Austin
Ray Funkhouser
Craig Koster Premier Sports Fields
Thanks so much for your help on keeping us informed. We at Premier Sports Fields are very appreciative of all the work the VTC does on behalf of our industry. You are helping to keep our business going in this unprecedented time. Bob Benyo Premier Sports Fields
Thanks for all you do. Ep Curling
I’ve spent a good bit of time monitoring the response of turfgrass associations around the country and by far the VTC are being the most proactive in your communications and advocacy for your members. I think it’s a great comfort to know that someone is working on their behalf and that there’s a community supporting each other during this challenging time. Julie Holt Content Director, TheTurfZone.com
In addition to the benefits listed above your membership provides you access to an organization that fights hard for your rights in Washington, in Virginia’s General Assembly and at the local level.
For more information or to become a member visit www.vaturf.org or call 757.464.1004
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 5101 Monument Avenue, Suite 203 Richmond, VA 23230 Tel: (804) 256 2700 Email: info@vnla.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 • Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 • Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com 2020 Officers and Directors Year indicates start of volunteer service to VNLA Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President / Research Foundation Co-Chair Christopher Brown, Jr. 2013 Lancaster Farms • Suffolk, VA
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Vice President / Legislative Chair Seana Ankers 2017 Meadows Farms • Chantilly, VA Secretary Treasurer Jeffrey Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping Co. • Afton, VA
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Past President / Board Recruitment / Research Foundation Co-Chair Brent Hunsinger 2015 Brent’s Native Plantings • Fredericksburg, VA Executive Director Shellie Archer Richmond, VA DIRECTORS Matt Deivert 2017 MANTS Board Representative South Riding Nurseries • Bristow, VA Cecilia Palmer 2017 Continuing Education Chair West Winds Nursery / Shade Tree Farm Sudley Springs, VA Neal Beasley 2019 Certification / VCH* Chair Timmons Group • Richmond, VA
CONTENTS | Winter 2020 10 Upcoming Event MANTS
12 Feature Story
Public Gardens as a Resource for the Horticulture Industry
14 Cover Story
The Boxwood Revolution
4 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
Marshall Saunders 2019 Membership Engagement Chair Saunders Brothers • Piney River, VA
DEPARTMENTS
Chris Dowdy 2020 Bennett’s Creek Nursery • Smithfield, VA
6 President’s Letter
Jeff Riggleman 2020 Kohler Equipment • Richmond, VA
6 Index of Advertisers 8 News from VNLA
Robin McCall 2020 Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service • Staunton, VA Warner Winthrop 2020 Colesville Nursery • Ashland, VA EX-OFFICIO, VIRTUE OF OFFICE: Non-voting Laurie Fox, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC • VA Beach, VA David Seward J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Montpelier, VA * VCH = Virginia Certified Horticulturist
Saving America’s Water In just 4 years, over 500 million square feet of TifTuf has been installed on residential and commercial landscapes, golf courses, and collegiate and professional sports fields across our country. As a result, over 9.5 billion gallons of our precious water resources have already been saved. TifTuf is absolutely changing the face of the American landscape!
www.THETURFGRASSGROUP.com
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A Year of Change and Adaptation
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Bennett’s Creek Nursery...................9 www.bcnursery.com
Bremo Trees...................................13 www.bremotrees.com
Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc.....17 www.camtoocamellia.com
Fairview Evergreen Nurseries............7 www.fairviewevergreen.com
Leading Edge Communications.........9 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com
It
has been a great honor to serve as your President in 2020. Thank you for your ongoing support of the VNLA and its mission. This year has been one that we will not soon forget! Despite all the chaos in our world today, I hope everyone has had a prosperous year and is optimistic for a thriving 2021! While 2020 has been a year of constant change and adaptation, I assure you that we have been working harder than ever to better serve you. Just like the pandemic has forced us all to think differently about our day-to-day businesses, it has had the same effect on the VNLA. As you all know, we had to press pause on our VCH program due to COVID-19. While this is just one of the many unfortunate speed bumps this year, it has allowed us to reevaluate the program from top to bottom. Neal Beasley, our certification chair, and his entire committee have done a great job this year. They identified several key strategic changes that will allow everyone to have greater accessibility to the exam and study materials. As we work through the details to implement these changes, please be on the lookout for more information. By now, I am sure everyone has heard that MANTS 2021 will be a virtual event. Every year we hold our annual membership meeting on Thursday morning before MANTS opens for business. In this meeting, the board takes the time to update membership on the current state of the VNLA. We cover everything from current financial statements, industry updates and electing the next year’s board of directors and officers. In January 2021, we will have our membership meeting just like we do while at MANTS, but in a virtual format. Please keep an eye on social media and your email inbox for more details. Currently, we plan to have a similar structure to the traditional meeting with pre-recorded updates. A positive element is that we will not be constrained with time which will allow us to go into greater detail and have new guests provide industry updates. While it is unfortunate that we will not be able to meet in person, I feel like this is a great opportunity for the entire membership to participate. The ability for us to hold our meeting virtually brings me to another great accomplishment from 2020. We are currently in the process of overhauling our software programs. This will give members greater access to the information that we all need as well as streamline many antiquated processes. From something as simple as online registrations and membership dues to allowing CEUs for a VCH credential to be reported through an online profile. These simple improvements will allow us to devote more time to connect with you all, our membership, in ways that we have never before. In closing, I want to take this last opportunity to thank you all and the board for giving me the honor of serving as your President. As we all look forward on the new year ahead of us, I have great confidence that our newly elected President, Seana Ankers, and the board will continue to enhance, promote and advocate for us all; not only in 2021 but for many more years to come! Sincerely, Christopher J. Brown, Jr.
6 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
masLABOR............Inside Front Cover www.maslabor.com
Pender Nursery, Inc........................19 www.pendernursery.com
Phillips & Turman Tree Farms.........7 landscapingtrees.org
Richey Nursery Company, LLC........7 www.richeynursery.com
Smith Seed Services...........................7 www.smithseed.com
Spring Hill Nursery.........................15 www.springhillva.com
The Turfgrass Group........................5 www.theturfgrassgroup.com
Tidewater Tree Transplanters.........17 www.tidewatertrees.com
Virginia Turfgrass Council................3 www.vaturf.org
Wellmaster Carts..............Back Cover www.wellmaster.ca The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, VNLA News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2020 by the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. VNLA News is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: VNLA News allows re-printing of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.
PHILLIPS AND TURMAN TREE FARMS WHOLESALE GROWER OF EVERGREENS FOR OVER 40 YEARS! WHITE PINE 8' – 16' NORWAY 10' – 16' CAL L FOR PR I C I N G
DOUG PHILLIPS DAVID PHILLIPS (540) 745-3700 PhillipsRealEstate@gmail.com PhillipsAndTurmanTreeFarms.com
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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NEWS FROM VNLA
In Memory of
LAWRENCE WILLIAM BOITNOTT Lawrence William Boitnott (Larry), 88, of Roanoke, Virginia was peacefully called to his heavenly home on Friday, September 4, 2020 at his home in Botetourt County. Larry was born March 23, 1932 in Boones Mill, VA to Bud and Ethel Boitnott. He graduated from Boones Mill High School in 1950, earned his Science Degree from Ferrum College in 1953, and after college, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years. In 1974, Larry graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master’s in Horticulture. He was a Master Gardener and hosted a gardening radio show during part of his career on WFIR radio. Larry was the Co-founder of Creative Nursery & Landscapes, Inc. Larry’s vast knowledge and experience in the Horticultural field spanned over five decades. He served as a VA Extension Agent for over 30 years and “retired” in 1987 to serve as the company’s Secretary/Treasurer and Maintenance Supervisor as Creative Nursery continued to grow. Larry enjoyed his work very
much and contributed greatly to the success of the company. He continued to remain very active in the business until he was 86. Larry was active in his church, First Church of God in Roanoke and was a Gideon with Gideons International, serving there alongside his wife for many years. Doing his big chicken barbeque was one of his favorite ways to serve ( and a favorite of those who had the privilege of enjoying it) for the annual Gideon Picnic. Among his other accomplishments were various recognitions and awards for serving as Secretary of VESA, Outstanding Leadership in the Virginia Turfgrass Association, and serving as President for the Botetourt Kiwanis Club from 2009–2010. In his spare time, Larry enjoyed gardening for most of his life and he generously shared many “fruits” of his labor from the garden with family and friends through the years. Larry is no doubt planting a heavenly garden right now. His family is joyful in the knowledge that they will be reunited again in that Heavenly garden. •
Certification Update from VDACS Authorization to Test — Expiration dates for all authorization letters for prospective applicators to take the exam(s) to become certified issued on or after December 20, 2019, have been extended to January 31, 2021 or the current date of expiration, whichever is greater. Prospective applicators that do not take the exam(s) by January 31, 2021 or the current date of expiration, whichever is greater, will be required to submit a new application with appropriate fees to take the exam(s). The most current information regarding testing at DMV is available at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/ #appointments.asp. Should an applicator need additional information regarding DMV reopening or services available, please instruct them to contact DMV directly. For registered technicians, please be reminded that under the “Temporary Registered Technician Requirement” licensed pesticide businesses can allow their employees to apply pesticides without obtaining a registered technician certification, for the duration of the state of emergency due to COVID-19, as declared by Governor Northam (Executive Order 51), when these employees meet certain training and testing requirements. This also applies 8 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
to registered technicians not for hire (any registered technician who uses or supervises the use of pesticides as part of his job duties only on property owned or leased by him or his employer. It also applies to governmental employees who use or supervise the use of pesticides, whether on property owned or leased by them or their employers or not, in the performance of their official duties). Allowing employees to apply pesticides without obtaining a registered technician certification will cease 30 days after Governor Northam rescinds Virginia’s COVID-19 state of emergency. The training and testing requirements, as well as the requirements for the licensed pesticide business, can be found on our website http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/covid-temporary-registeredtechnicianrequirements.pdf. Pesticide businesses should complete one form per pesticide business location and return the form to VDACS. Copies of the training or testing (exam) should not be sent to VDACS. Pesticide businesses are required to keep documentation of the training and testing of employees under this temporary requirement for two years. You are encouraged to check our website for the most current pesticide applicator certification information at https://www. vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticide-applicator-certification.shtml
Smithfield, Virginia Locations in Smithfield, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Currituck, NC Local: (757) 483-1425 www.bcnursery.com Toll Free: (800) 343-4611
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UPCOMING EVENT: MANTS
THE MID-ATLANTIC NURSERY TRADE SHOW
Invites Your Participation in 2021 MANTS.com Business Hub Platform to Facilitate Continued Commerce January 6 – 8, 2021 Despite the Pandemic
W
hile pandemic-related circumstances prevented the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) from hosting an in-person show in Baltimore, it will not stop them from continuing the 50-year tradition of driving commerce in the green industry. Show organizers knew that they would not let 2021 pass without finding a new way to connect exhibitors and buyers despite not meeting face-to-face. This decision is especially important as the success of MANTS directly impacts VNLA member programs through an annual distribution to the founding and sponsoring organizations of MANTS — the state nursery and landscape associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. “Doing nothing for our attendees and buying companies is just not in our DNA,” said Vanessa Finney, executive vice president of MANTS. “We remain committed to offering you a place where business happens and invite you to join us January 6–8 for continued commerce and connection via our new MANTS.com Business Hub.” The online platform provides flexibility and multiple opportunities for those with products, services and equipment to sell to connect with those actively looking to restock inventory and prepare for the year ahead. Through the MANTS.com Business Hub, exhibitors can feature all the same products as they would during a typical show via photos and videos, highlight show discounts and specials, share company news, and conduct product demonstrations and sales presentations. Unlike a traditional show, exhibitors have greater staffing flexibility as they can offer set appointment times and invite attendees to join in prescheduled
10 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
drop-in hours, live presentations, and video demonstrations. “Manning” your booth/online presence is not required. Registered attendees can use the Business Hub to search and shop, learn about new products and technology, connect with current and future vendors, and place orders. The hub’s intelligent matching technology will ensure easy connections between participants based on an extensive list of interests by category. While access to the Business Hub will be available pre-show, the real opportunity to connect with current and future colleagues and vendors occurs January 6–8 when exhibitors are encouraged to offer virtual one-on-one conversations, group sales presentations, product demonstrations, and hosted drop-in hours. Green industry companies and businesses interested in exhibiting or attending may register online at www.MANTS.com. Registration is $10 for attendees and provides access to the Business Hub, January 6–8, 2021, leading up to the show, and for 90 days post-show. •
Visit MANTS.com for additional show details. Twitter.com/MANTSBaltimore Instgram.com/MANTSBaltimore Facebook.com/MANTSBaltimore #MANTSBaltimore | #MANTS2021
1 2 0 2 S T N A M ES A NEW TAK
N O I T C E R I D 1 2 0 ,2 ess on n i s u B Your r o f s n Ope m o c . S MANT ober. t c O d ins Mi g e B n ratio Regist
6 Y R A U N JA
SEARCH. SHOP. LEARN. CONNECT. BUY. For 51 years MANTS has meant BUSINESS. In January 2021 this doesn’t change. We cannot meet in person but business still takes center stage. Your business has inventory to replenish, equipment to upgrade, and shelves to restock. MANTS has the exhibitors with all the products and services your company needs.
The Masterpiece of Tradeshows™ P.O. Box 818 • Brooklandville, MD 21022 410-296-6959 • Fax 410-296-8288
@mantsbaltimore #mants2021 #mantsbaltimore
Visit mants.com often for details and updates to see how you can continue to utilize MANTS to meet all of your company’s inventory needs.
FEATURE STORY
Public
GARDENS
as a Resource for the Horticulture Industry By Timothy Ohlwiler, Extension Agent – Horticulture Virginia Cooperative Extension Fauquier County Office
Researchers are testing hundreds of chestnut hybrids to see if they can find trees that are resistant to chestnut blight. This disease came through the eastern United States in the early 1900’s and killed almost all of the chestnuts in Appalachia from Maine to Georgia. Photo by Tim Ohlwiler
The Quarters with its iconic arches and cupula is the heart of the State Arboretum of Virginia. The Quarters served as residence for the enslaved at a nearby estate, today it holds offices and a gift shop for Blandy. Photo by James R. Emmett
Tansy blooms in the foreground and Graham Blandy Boxwood frame the entrance to the herb garden at Blandy Experimental Farm, home to the State Arboretum of Virginia. Photo by Tim Ohlwiler
P
ublic gardens are a treasure for our communities, and the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce is one of the crown jewels. Sometimes called Blandy, for short, the State Arboretum provides many benefits to the horticulture industry as well as the general public. Public Gardens are a place of inspiration for those in the horticulture industry as well as our clients. A public garden is a place of formal and informal education, and gardens are often places for research. As with many outdoor spaces, they can aid our personal health, especially in stressful times, and a public garden can increase awareness and appreciation for horticulture. Many public gardens are called arboreta or botanic gardens, but many are gardens at historic sites. The following are five ways the State Arboretum of Virginia and other public gardens serve the horticulture industry in Virginia. 1. I nspiration – A grand public garden is often a place of inspiration and ideas. There are ideas to be taken to work and home after a visit — the knowledge of a new plant combination or something to share with a coworker. It can also be a place of inspiration and new ideas for clients. Finding a place in a public garden that mirrors the climatic, soil and water requirements of a garden of a client can help to develop ideas for a difficult situation. The ideas for plants are wonderful, but also design, hardscape elements, and garden structures are often an attractive piece of a botanical garden or public arboretum. The woodland wildflower walk and the raised herb garden at The State Arboretum are sources of inspiration. 2. Education – Many public gardens are also a place for formal and informal education that can serve the horticulture industry as well as the public at large. Blandy is no exception. There are classes and tours, and often there are labels on plants to help visitors learn. The best growing conditions and light requirements for the plants in the gardens are often highlighted. Brochures and maps are the source of additional information. Many times, plants are placed in collections. This makes it easy to compare size, color, and growing habit of the 162 boxwood cultivars in Blandy’s collection. Often trees and shrubs are labeled with the year they were planted, so seeing how large a plant can get is also helpful. 3. Research – The State Arboretum of Virginia, like many public gardens, is also
12 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
a place of research. The Arboretum hosts research projects for many researchers as well as graduate students each summer. For example, The State Arboretum is a collaborating partner to research new chestnut hybrids that may be resistant to the deadly chestnut blight. Several of the researchers at Blandy are focused on beneficial insects and pollinators. Many public gardens contain a library where information on plants can be gleaned. Researchers and volunteers often participate in citizen science projects such as recording the dates plants first bloom and counting the number of butterflies on a given day each year.
Where agriculture and nature meet
4. Health – Being outdoors, not at work, can be a place to relax, lower the blood pressure, calm the nerves and quiet the mind. Finding a quiet space at the State Arboretum is easy to do in this large petfriendly environment. It can also be a place for exercise or to engage in a hobby like painting or photography. Many public gardens have similar opportunities. 5. Horticulture – A public garden is a celebration of horticulture and they often have many ways to invite the community to come and experience plants. There are often concerts or book clubs or art exhibits that don’t have much to do with plants per se, but they invite the community to come and share the joy of plants that those in the horticulture world already know so well. Experience the joy of horticulture in the community spaces of a public garden or arboretum. Find some inspiration among the unique plants and engage in the educational and research opportunities at a public garden. Whether publicly funded or maintained by a non-profit foundation, let the gardens improve your health and wellbeing. Find a public garden near home and go for the first time or return to see what is new.
Facts about The State Arboretum of Virginia • 172 Acres of the 700-acre Blandy Experimental Farm • Donated by Graham E. Blandy to the University of Virginia in 1926 • 1300 species of conifer • Open daily from dawn to dusk all year round • Cost of admission – free • Orland E. White was the first director and came from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden • Home base for Virginia Native Plant Society
434.842.8733 email@bremotrees.com www.bremotrees.com
Public GARDENS in Virginia 1. Carrier Arboretum – Harrisonburg
11. Monticello Garden – Charlottesville
2. Chatham Manor – Fredericksburg
12. Montpelier Garden – Orange
3. Chesapeake Arboretum – Chesapeake
14. Museum of Shenandoah – Winchester
4. Colonial Williamsburg Gardens – Williamsburg
15. Norfolk Botanical Garden – Norfolk
5. Green Spring Garden – Alexandria
16. Oatlands – Leesburg, VA
13. Mt. Vernon – Alexandria
6. Gunston Hall Gardens – Lorton
17. Old City Cemetery – Lynchburg, VA
7. Hahn Horticulture Garden – Blacksburg
18. Pagoda and Oriental Garden – Norfolk
8. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – Richmond
19. Prestwould Plantation and Gardens – Clarksville
9. Maymont Park – Richmond
20. River Farm – Alexandria
10. Meadowlark Botanical Garden – Vienna
21. State Arboretum of Virginia – Boyce
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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COVER STORY
The
BOX WOOD Revolution By Lindsay Day
B
oxwood (Buxus sp.) have been gracing landscapes for thousands of years. These slow-growing evergreen shrubs stand as a symbol of a gardener’s commitment and investment to a green space. Boxwood have held their reputation for many years because they are low maintenance, provide structure to a garden, and have few pests and disease pressures. Unfortunately, this reputation took a hard hit in the United States in 2011 with the discovery of Boxwood Blight. Many growers became concerned about the future of this beloved plant.
Continued on page 16
14 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
COVER STORY • continued Saunders Brothers, Inc. in Piney River, VA, a family-run nursery with a long history of boxwood production, responded to this threat by investing in research to find a solution. With over 70 years of experience in boxwood cultivation, they had seen boxwood through setbacks before.
Boxwood Leafminer In the early 2000s Saunders Brothers, Inc. moved towards larger field-grown boxwood and continued to grow many different varieties and cultivars. Buxus microphylla ‘Green Beauty’, Buxus x ‘Green Velvet’, Buxus sempervirens ‘Justin Brouwer’, and Buxus x ‘Green Mountain’ soon became huge sellers for Saunders Brothers, Inc. as well as other nurseries throughout the United States. With time, however, these four boxwood cultivars were discovered to be highly susceptible to Boxwood Leafminer damage. Bennett Saunders, who oversaw field boxwood production, noticed that the Boxwood Leafminer was cultivar-specific, meaning certain cultivars showed heavy infestations while other cultivars showed minimal, if any, damage by the burrowing larvae. In 2007, Saunders Brothers, Inc. engaged Dr. Bob Dunn, a retired nematologist from the University of Florida, to collect data on natural resistance of cultivars to the Boxwood Leafminer. Dunn planted replicated research trials in a boxwood growing area that was infested with Boxwood Leafminer. Over a period of ten years, he gathered data from almost 150 cultivars to determine varietal resistance to Boxwood Leafminer. In the meantime, Bennett traveled through the eastern United States to Blandy Research Farm near Winchester, VA, the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., and to many nurseries and private collectors, seeking other cultivars which showed natural resistance to the Leafminer. Some of these varieties were brought back to Saunders Brothers, Inc. for formal testing and to be added to the Saunders Brothers, Inc. collection.
Robert, Tom, Paul, Bennett, and Jim Saunders walking through one of their peach orchards.
Dr. Bob Dunn dissected leaves and counted live Boxwood Leafminers over a ten-year period.
Boxwood Blight After the introduction of Boxwood Blight into the US in 2011, Saunders Brothers sent a team to Europe to learn as much as they could about the disease. Growers and researchers in Europe remarked that they had seen a difference in susceptibility to the disease based on the genetics of the plants. With Saunders Brothers’ diverse collection of boxwood cultivars, they were excited that some of their cultivars would have resistance. In the spring of 2012, Saunders Brothers began to ship hundreds of cultivars to North Carolina State University. Kelly Ivors, a research scientist in Mills River, North Carolina, began a 3-year study to determine the relative susceptibility of various boxwood cultivars to Boxwood Blight. Ivors’ research found the cultivars that Saunders Brothers, Inc. delivered were highly variable in their susceptibility to the Blight. Some cultivars showed extreme susceptibility and others showed extreme resistance to the disease, with all shades of susceptibility in-between. Several years later Kelly Ivors moved to the West Coast, but Saunders Brothers, Inc. continued to research Boxwood Blight. Bennett found a site about 150 miles away from the Saunders Brothers, Inc. that had already been infected with Boxwood Blight where they began to do “real world” testing. Around these infected boxwood, they planted the most promising cultivars from NCSU research in replicated trials. 16 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
The team of researchers at NC State
An adult Boxwood Leafminer on a branch of infested leaves
Top Quality Grower of B&B and container, shade, evergreen and flowering trees Since 1986 We use root-pruning containers to produce better root systems.
Symptoms of Boxwood Blight, including leaf spots and dark streaking on the stem
www.TidewaterTrees.com Info@TidewaterTrees.com 1900 Munden Point Road • Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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COVER STORY • continued Bennett and others returned to this site several times during the growing seasons to evaluate the degree of defoliation of the boxwood, depending upon weather conditions. It has always been important in the Saunders Brothers, Inc. research trials to select boxwood which consistently showed good results in different trials in different years. As such, many of the cultivars were tested in as many as 5 or 6 different replicated trials. Over a period of eight years, at least 157 different cultivars were tested by Saunders Brothers, Inc. and Kelly Ivors. Through this extensive research, Bennett and the Saunders team saw how many different cultivars reacted to varying amounts of Boxwood Blight pressure in different seasons of the year as well as rainy or dry seasons. In the summer of 2018, Saunders Brothers, Inc. felt they had good answers to Boxwood Blight and Boxwood Leafminer problems after well over ten years of intensive research. Saunders Genetics, LLC was created to breed, source, test, evaluate, and market the best boxwood cultivars with consideration to all aspects of culture and garden performance.
One example of a research plot
Buxus NewGen Independence® in trial. Both plants had been in that location for three years. The inoculated plant is on the left.
Saunders Genetics introduces NewGen® Boxwood Two plants, unnamed selections at the time, consistently outperformed many common varieties in the trials. Feeling optimistic about finding a solution to the potentially devastating disease, Saunders wanted to share these genetics with the industry, and NewGen® Boxwood was born. NewGen® aims to be the standard bearer of a distinctively better family of boxwood. This new generation of plants offers improved genetics to the industry and promises better resistance of Boxwood Blight and other boxwood diseases, better resistance to Boxwood Leafminer, and maintains a “WOW factor” in the landscape. Saunders Genetics looks to continue to be a trusted industry resource on boxwood information by continuing to research and stay up to date on boxwood issues and solutions. Also, by maintaining bio-secure testing methods and standards, Saunders Genetics plans to continue trialing and introducing selections of superior plants that fulfill the NewGen™ brand standards. Introduced to the market in 2020 were NewGen Independence® and NewGen Freedom®. With names that evoke imagery tracing back to 18th century colonial America, where a new country was blazing a trail in history, these plants will lead the industry demonstrating better resistance of Boxwood Blight, resistance to Boxwood Leafminer, and WOW factor in the landscape. NewGen® worked to establish both a regional and international network of premier licensed growers and propagators to share these plants in retailers and landscapes across the US. They will continue to expand their network of growers as the market needs arise. The first two introductions, NewGen Freedom® and NewGen Independence®, will be available at five wholesale nurseries: Overdevest Nurseries, NJ; Prides Corner Farms, CT; Saunders Brothers Nursery, VA; Willoway Nurseries, OH, and Sheridan Nurseries, Ontario. NewGen™ Boxwood intends to raise the bar for boxwood to meet the changing dynamics of a new generation of the American garden and gardener. • 18 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
NewGen Independence ® (right) and NewGen Freedom ® (left)
Bennett Saunders looking over the recently installed 2020 Boxwood Blight research plots immediately after planting
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