How Better Boxwood Anchors 2026’s Garden Trends

This year, outdoor spaces are about more than curb appeal. They’re about intention, resilience, connection, and joy. According to the 2026 Garden Trends Report by Garden Media Group, “Lemonading” is the year’s defining theme, embracing life’s challenges and turning them into design opportunities.

As the first collection of scientifically bred, blight-resistant boxwoods available in the U.S., Better Boxwood offers structure with purpose, making them the perfect companion to this year’s most meaningful garden trends.

Purposeful Planting

As 2026 ushers in a more intentional approach to gardening, gardeners are choosing plants not just for looks, but for long-term value and resilience. Enter Better Boxwood: a modern response to the call for smarter, more sustainable landscape design.

Instead of planting “filler” shrubs that require constant upkeep or risk disease, gardeners are seeking foundational plants that can stand the test of time. Better Boxwood is the first collection of blight-resistant boxwoods available in the U.S., bred through decades of scientific work in Europe to combat the challenges of boxwood blight.

But it’s not just about disease resistance. Each variety offers a unique shape and size. From the compact, low-growing Renaissance™ to the stately, tall-growing Skylight™,  it's easy to match a Better Boxwood variety to your needs. 

Barkitecture

Pet-focused landscaping is gaining traction in 2026, and for good reason: with over 85% of gardeners considering pets as part of the family, outdoor spaces are being designed to welcome both two-legged and four-legged family members. But pet-friendly doesn't have to mean sacrificing aesthetics.

That’s where Better Boxwood shines. These blight-resistant varieties offer both beauty and durability, thriving in high-traffic zones where paws roam and tails wag. Their dense, structured form makes them perfect for creating natural borders, guiding movement through the garden, and protecting delicate planting areas, all without the need for unsightly fencing.

Bonus? They’re non-toxic and easy to maintain, making them a smart choice for landscapes where furry companions are free to explore. Whether flanking a dog path, adding order to a backyard playground, or softening hardscape edges, Better Boxwood brings both function and polish to pet-inclusive garden design.

Small Spaces, Big Style: The Botanical Bento Effect

The Botanical Bento trend, named for the curated, compact elegance of bento boxes, celebrates creative, space-efficient container gardening. With tight footprints and multi-season interest, Better Boxwood makes the perfect foundation for this trend.

Whether you’re styling a small patio, balcony, entryway, or layered beds, Better Boxwood offers elegant structure in a manageable size. But there’s more to this design-forward movement than good looks; it’s about thoughtful layout, lasting impact, and low-maintenance polish.

Better Boxwood, Built for Containers

• Shallow root systems make Better Boxwood ideal for container plantings; ensure that you choose a planter at least as wide as the plant is tall for optimal health.
• Varieties like Babylon Beauty™ (3' H x 4–5' W) fill low, wide planters with lush, evergreen shape that works in both casual and formal designs.
• Renaissance™, with its tidy 1–2' profile, is a standout for clipped forms and topiary touches, perfect for making a bold statement in tight spaces.

Practical Tips for Bento Garden Success

• Choose containers with excellent drainage and add pot feet to prevent standing water if needed.
• Use quality commercial potting mix (never garden soil!) for airflow and moisture balance.
• Spring is the best time to container plant, as it gives your boxwood a stress-free start before summer heat kicks in.
• Aim to repot every 3 years, or prune roots to maintain size and shape in the same container.

👉 Click here for more container planting tips. 

👉 Click here for container pairing inspo.