GLENCOE, Ill. (Jan. 17, 2006) – Charming its way into gardens this spring will be a new Chicagoland Grows“ introduction—Northern Charm™ Boxwood, Buxus ‘Wilson.’ The small-leaved, emerald boxwood has excellent cold-hardiness and a uniform, oval growth habit. Foliage turns a rich black-green in winter. It is perfect for hedges, borders, accents, groupings, foundation plantings and formal gardens.  

Northern Charm™ was selected out of a seedling block from which Green Mountain and Green Velvet boxwoods arose at Wilson Nurseries, Inc., Hampshire, Ill. It has a compact, oval-round habit and a good growth rate. Its delicate semi-glossy emerald foliage develops an appealing bluish cast during the growing season, changing to rich, deep black-green during winter. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 4b through 9. It has a slow to medium growth rate (typically less than 6 inches annually) but in 15 years, it can grow to 3 to 4 feet high and 5 feet wide. 

Northern Charm™ is easily transplanted and is best sited in filtered sun, although it does perform well in full sun, as well as in shaded locations. Extremely wet sites should be avoided. There are no pests or diseases known to affect the shrub.

Chicagoland Grows“ is a non-profit corporation of the Chicago Botanic Garden, The Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois (OGA). The Chicagoland Grows“ Plant Introduction Program is dedicated to the evaluation, selection, production and marketing of recommended and new plant cultivars. Plants selected for the program have proven to be adaptable to the Midwest and are made available to the commercial and retail landscape industry through an international network of growers and propagators.

For more information on Northern Charm™ Boxwood or the Chicagoland Grows“ Plant Introduction Program, visit www.chicagolandgrows.org.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden’s newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

 The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. Through the Institutes of Plant Conservation and Ornamental Plant Research, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.