Ideas for Alternatives to a Box hedge in the Garden
In recent years it has become more common for people to ask for alternatives to a box hedge in their garden. Box (buxus) it is native to southern areas of the uk, thriving on hillsides, in woodland or scrub. The best known wild populations of box are found on Box Hill in Surrey, the North Downs, the Chilterns and the Cotswolds, where it can grow in large numbers. In gardens it is planted as a hedge plant or for topiary.
The larvae of a moth that feeds on box (Buxus) plants is what we know as ‘the box tree caterpillar.’ It was first reported in private gardens in around 2011 but has moved rapidly so that now, in 2022, it is well established in many parts of the UK. The first sign to look for is when they find webbing and caterpillars on box plants. The caterpillars eat box leaves and produce a web over the box. Plants may also show patches of dieback which is especially apparent on trimmed plants. There are treatments available but it is for this reason that many gardeners are now looking for alternatives to a box hedge.
2. Box blight.
This is a fungal disease of box resulting in bare patches and die-back, especially in topiary and parterres and is unfortunately hard to manage. Typically the leaves turn brown and fall, leading to bare, brown unsightly, patches. There are treatments available but again, many gardeners are taking out box hedges and looking for alternatives.
Five plants to consider as alternatives to a box hedge
Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) bears a close resemblance to box, making it useful for topiary or low hedging. It has small leaves that can be clipped into shape easily but a slightly looser habit. Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ is evergreen, grows well in full sun or part shade and provided it’s kept reasonably moist will make a good alternative to a box hedge.
Yew (Taxus baccata) is a good alternative to a box hedge and for topiary, it can be cut quite low and into any shape, similar to box. English yew is almost certainly the best form of evergreen hedge, it can be pruned back hard and provided the soil is well prepared before planting will establish itself well and grow well. Yew has a reputation for being slow growing (especially when compared to leylandii) but is well worth the wait. When young it can be a little fussy about water (it doesn’t tolerate either being too dry or too wet) but otherwise is very easy.
Pittosporum, in all its forms and colours, makes a good alternative to a box hedge. Evergreen, with few pests or diseases, it needs full sun to thrive and will not tolerate low temperatures so is best planted in a sheltered sunny spot. Unlike box, which can be clipped once a year, pittosporum is vigorous and needs clipping twice in the growing season to prevent it becoming unruly.
Euonymus, like pittosporum, comes in many varieties and colours and tend to be pest and disease-free, making it a good, evergreen alternative to a box hedge. Most euonymus will tolerate a shady position and are easy to clip into shape, although it is slow growing so takes time to form a hedge or to be shaped.
Portuguese laurel, Prunus lusitanica, (here shown grown as a standard) has large, glossy green leaves and attractive red stems which add a splash of maroon to your hedging for extra interest in winter. ‘Angustifolia’ is the most widely used variety, it is easy to clip into shape and although not as tight, makes a good alternative to a box hedge as well as topiary. It will grow quite happily in full sun or partial shade making it a popular choice.
As part of our garden designs we have used box hedging successfully for many years. However, recently, very sadly, we are using these suggested plants as alternatives to a box hedge and topiary and have found best for hedges to be a reliable source of hedging plants.
If you’re based in Oxfordshire or nearby, get in touch to find out more about our design work as well as garden clearance service. Our Oxford gardeners are here to help.
Ilex has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards.
crenata 'Dark Green' is evergreen, grows well in full sun or part shade and provided it's kept reasonably moist will make a good alternative to a box hedge. Yew (Taxus baccata) is a good alternative to a box hedge and for topiary, it can be cut quite low and into any shape, similar to box.
To extend the choice of low hedging plants to replace box, you could consider coloured foliage. Deciduous shrubs such as Berberis perform very well in our walled garden box alternatives trial at RHS Garden Wisley. Semi-evergreen privets (Ligustrum) are also very worthwhile.
As a like for like alternative, Yew is probably your best bet. Euonymus japonicus is a compact, glossy evergreen that makes for good low hedging. It can also be effective in lining a knot garden or parterre. The plant is salt and wind tolerant as well, making it an excellent choice for gardens located near the coast.
Privet (pictures above) is more drought resistant and prefers a dry soil while Box needs a little extra moisture. Box, though, is a slower grower and reaches around 3m while Privet achieves its 4m a little quicker. Both are evergreens, though Privet will shed leaves in a particularly harsh winter.
Avoid trimming earlier in summer, as this results in a flush of soft growth that is vulnerable to weather damage, such as leaf scorch, drying winds, hot sun or even late frost, and, additionally, diseases such as box blight.
Which plant makes the best hedge? For a luxurious and lush hedge, the best choice is Yew Hedge (Taxus baccata) as it has very dark green foliage and is slow growing and easy to maintain. Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) is also a good option and grows quickly, although it may lose some leaves in cold winters.
This hybrid Thuja typically grows 3 feet per year, with some reports circulating of it growing 5 feet in one year! If you need a fast-growing, large, evergreen Arborvitae hedge, Green Giant is a perfect choice.
While hedging reduces risk, it also involves costs such as premiums for options or margin requirements for futures. Additionally, improper hedging strategies can lead to losses or reduced profits.
Buxus, Box hedging, or Boxwood as it is also sometimes known, has an attractive compact form that is easy to shape and prune. The glossy, dark foliage makes Buxus sempervirens a handsome evergreen hedging choice, providing year-round interest.
Hedge species such as Euonymus Green Spire, Euonymus Jean Hughes and Box Leaf Honeysuckle are flowering shrubs that can provide colour and texture Lto your garden without the risk of box blight.
It crowds out native species – As an invasive plant, Chinese privet crowds out native plants that provide wildlife with food and shelter, taking over the ground canopy and slowly eroding environmental health. It grows early and fast, spreading quickly in an area, taking up space and casting shade below it.
Be careful not to trim too rigorously, as the branches and leaves will grow back very slowly. This is naturally a downside of its slow growth. The common box has the ability to grow quite large; if you allow it to, it could reach a height of up to 5 metres.
The more mature a box hedge is, the deeper the roots are likely to go through the soil, and the more difficult it would be to uproot the plant without disturbing them.
By compressing the branches together, the box hedge will be far easier to lift and move once out of the soil. To unearth the box hedging, use a sharp spade to dig a trench around the rootball, trying to disturb the roots as little as possible while removing them from the ground.
Hard pruning to remove infected parts, if you catch the disease reasonably early it may well be possible to reduce your hedges by 50% or more on a dry day, being sure to remove every scrap of the trimmings and fallen leaves to the bin or bonfire.
– Evergreen Hollies, Ilex spp. - Some native, some not- The Hollies are probably the most diverse alternative for the privets. There is a holly for every garden condition: small or large leaves; smooth or spiky leaves; lots of berries or a few berries; trees or shrubs; deciduous or evergreen.
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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