When planning a hedge, Box is one of the first options to spring to mind. It’s certainly a popular choice when trying to achieve a more formal looking garden by dividing up flower beds or marking boundaries.

But many people are put off the idea because they associate box hedging with large formal stately homes or are unsure of how to plant and maintain their box hedging. But Box or Buxus hedging can look great in any sized garden, isn’t too difficult to grow and is relatively straight forward to maintain.

It might not be as difficult as you think to achieve a great looking Box hedge.

In this short guide, we’ll look at everything we’ve already talked about as well as getting back to basics by looking at what box hedging is and how you can include it in your own outdoor space without any hassle.

What is box hedging?

Box hedges, or to use their proper name, Buxus sempervirens, are evergreen plants that boast a very leafy appearance making them popular in all types of gardens. They do require some specific conditions but for the most part can be grown in a variety of soil types and are relatively impervious to the effects of their surroundings.

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The box hedge is a slow growing plant and this can often make it much easier to care for, adding to the attraction for both domestic and commercial gardens. It’s also a very versatile plant that can either be trimmed or a formal look or left to grow a little wilder for something natural.

Box is perfect for splitting up flower beds as, because they so slow growing, they are easy to keep in shape to create a low boundary which looks good but doesn’t detract from or overpower the flowering plants. And, in winter when the colours of the bed have faded, the Box will still be a vibrant green.

Why use box hedging; the pros and cons

There are many reasons why people choose box hedges and one of the main advantages is that it helps you to create a formal garden with a neat appearance. And, while we have mentioned our slow growing, they are and how well they look when keep short, Buxus hedges can grow up to one and a half metres in height meaning that they are ideal for improving the privacy of any outdoor space.

Owing to the height of these plants, they also act as a windbreaker in areas that are prone to a breeze. For example, if you have a high patio that always feels a little chilly, a box hedge will act as a barrier between you and the elements. If you are planning to screen off a patio with Box hedging it would be best to plant mature hedging for an instant impact.

These types of hedges are also excellent for creating a boundary. This can be done either between properties for something more attractive than a fence or within a property to separate specific areas from one another.

However, while there are a lot of reasons to consider planting Buxus hedges, there are a few drawbacks that you should think about. For starters, these hedges are prone to insect infestations and root rot, both of which can be difficult to treat.

Box is very tolerant and is perfect for the UK climate. It can be grown in full sun or semi-shade and is very hardy.

Box Blight is an issue which can crop up. This causes the leaves to turn a yellowy brown and can cause the hedge to die. Understandably some people are put off by this but all plants are susceptible to some type of fungal disease. But Box Blight can be beaten and there are specially formulated sprays which contain copper that will kill the fungus and reinvigorate your hedge.

How to maintain box hedging

Depending on how you want your box hedging to look, the maintenance may be slightly different. But before we get into that, let’s take a look at what you can expect when initially planting your Buxus.

Most experts would recommend using bare rooted box plants as these will establish far more quickly than container plants and are considered to be much more economical. If you are going for bare rooted plants then be sure to put them in the ground between November and March. If it is outside of this window, you’ll have no choice but to use pot grown hedging plants.

Upon planting, you’ll need to make sure that the roots are well wetted and when placing the plants into the ground, keep them close together. Putting five plants per metre will ensure a full and lush appearance once the hedges mature.

Don’t attempt to trim your box plants after planting, you will need to wait and let them grow before you start modelling them.

When it comes to maintaining your Buxus, you may decide to create a very neat finish and in order to achieve this, you will need to use shears that are incredibly sharp to give a precise cut. Moreover, dull shears will burn the edges of the leaves and cause them to turn brown.

You should also consider the time of year that you trim your Buxus. Doing it in cold weather around December or January will allow the leaves to heal better. However, to avoid fungal spores, you will also want to make sure that the weather stays dry for a few days after cutting so be sure to check the weather app before you get started.

Finally, to prevent the green foliage turning yellow be sure to feed your Box hedging regularly. A good quality liquid feed should be use throughout the year to ensure the hedge retains its glossy evergreen appearance.

If you’re ready to plant a new hedge click here to see all the hedging we have available. We specialise in providing pallet loads, though you may purchase any quality from a single plant upwards, and provide deep discounts on bulk orders.

Visit our Ask the Expert hedging tips page