Boxwood cultivar named ‘Arctic Emerald’

Abstract

A new and distinct Buxus cultivar is provided. The attractive evergreen hedge/shrub displays a dense columnar, somewhat pyramidal, upright growth habit, and is particularly fast growing relative to many other Buxus variants. No pruning is required to maintain the attractive growth habit. The new variant commonly displays a single sturdy trunk or a multi-trunk base, depending on the cutting at time of propagation, that develops multiple pliable fast-growing branches with glossy deep green foliage. The foliage displays deep green color in all weather conditions, temperatures, and degrees of sunlight and shade. The new variant exhibits excellent endurance to both high and low temperatures, and has exceptional tolerance to wind, snow, and ice due in part to the yielding characteristic of its branches. No typical boxwood fragrance is emitted by the foliage or branches. The new variant's growth habit and shape make it suitable for a multitude of landscape and other uses.

1. A new and distinct variety of Boxwood plant possessing the following characteristics:
 (a) assumes a dense, columnar, somewhat pyramidal, upright growth habit;  
 (b) lacks typical boxwood foliage fragrance;  
 (c) exhibits an unusually rapid growth cycle following asexual propagation from a cutting;  
 (d) exhibits an exceptionally strong root system;  
 (e) exhibits glossy deep olive green foliage substantially throughout the year in high and low temperatures, and does well in full sun, partial sun, and shade, without any substantial change in coloration during the winter;  
 (f) exhibits excellent all-season hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zone 5;  
 (g) exhibits exceptional tolerance to wind, ice and snow due, at least in part, to the yielding character of its pliable branches;  
 
     substantially as herein shown and described.