Guide on Cultivating Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
In the face of challenges posed by box blight and box tree caterpillar, garden enthusiasts in the UK are turning to alternative plants for hedging and topiary. Here are some resilient options that offer good disease resistance, adaptability to British weather, and suitability for formal garden designs.
Ilex crenata (Japanese holly) is highly recommended due to its strong resistance to box blight, tolerance of UK climate, and suitability for formal hedging and topiary. Cultivars like Ilex crenata 'Stokes' and 'Caroline Upright' are especially valued for their compact growth and year-round greenery.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ is another disease-resistant shrub suitable for hedging, with evergreen leaves and a good response to clipping.
Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) offers peace of mind against box pests and diseases, with a similar fine texture and capacity to be trimmed into hedges and shapes, making it a strong alternative for topiary as well.
Taxus baccata (Common yew) and Ligustrum ovalifolium (Privet) are occasionally suggested as alternatives for hedging when box plants are severely affected, though their foliage and growth habit differ from box.
Maintaining good planting design, hygiene when pruning, mulching, and proper watering can help reduce pest and disease outbreaks across all these species. If control efforts for box tree caterpillars and blight prove difficult, switching to these resilient alternatives is considered a proven long-term solution.
It's advisable to quarantine new box plants for a month before planting them to check for box blight. Box plants can be planted at any time of year, but spring or autumn is the best time. Box is easy to propagate by taking cuttings.
Remember, box blight is a fungal disease that causes leaf loss and weakens box plants, spreading rapidly in warm, wet or humid conditions. Signs include brown leaves that fall off the plant, leaving bare patches, black streaks and dieback on young stems, and white patches on the undersides of leaves.
By choosing these alternatives, gardeners can maintain the structure and beauty of their gardens while minimising the impact of box blight and box tree caterpillar.
Combining home-and-garden lifestyle with plant care, gardeners in the UK are increasingly opting for resilient alternatives to box plants for hedging and topiary, such as Ilex crenata, Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus’, Lonicera nitida, Taxus baccata, and Ligustrum ovalifolium. Proper care, including hygiene when pruning, mulching, and watering, can aid in the prevention of pest and disease outbreaks in these plants. When faced with difficulty in controlling box tree caterpillars and blight, switching to these sturdy alternatives is a long-term solution for maintaining the structure and beauty of home gardens while minimizing the impact of these issues.
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