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Save my buxus?

jonwhite1jonwhite1 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
hi folks

Check out my buxus...can they be saved? Awful victims of both the blight and buxus caterpillar which is rife here in london. Have been watered and fed well, other plants thriving in this formal front garden. Be a shame to destroy them so worth an ask...

thanks



Posts

  • jonwhite1jonwhite1 Posts: 4
    Another pic
  • jonwhite1jonwhite1 Posts: 4

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited November 2018
    Looks dead to me.  Given the prevalance of box pests and diseases you mention, I would recommend replacing it with a different species as there are quite a few plants which look similar and can be clipped into the ball shape - Ilex crenata is often used.  The RHS have advice about box problems as well as a list of alternatives if you scroll down:

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    I volunteer at Capel Manor gardens they have a lot of Box in the same state, the head gardener there says she is thinking of replacing a lot of it with Yew. As Bob says Ilex Crenata is often used too, but it is more expensive & need a lot more water. Some of their box is coming back, you could try liquid seaweed  (tonic not fertiliser) as a foliar drench in spring but the caterpillars will be pupating in the ground ready to come back next year again
    AB Still learning

  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Some of the smaller Hebes might give you a similar effect size wise, Hebe pinguifolia might be a suitable alternative. Sorry you will have to check the name I may have got it wrong, pinguicularis?

    There are also some varieties of Euonymus ,"Jean Hughes" has been suggested as a possible replacement on some websites.
    There are a lot of Euonymus with variegated leaves but the one I mentioned is a dark green one if that is what you want.

    I like lonicera nitida, but it is not as slow growing and would probably need more regular trimming to keep it as a small ball if that is what you want.
    I have been experimenting with some here in pots.

    Do you only want a dark green box alternative or are you open to other colours?

    Finally commiserations on the illness of your box plants. I would give it a last shot and cut them back, see how dead they are, or not.
    If they look alive, consider if treatment for the next year would help as Allotment boys advice.
    But ultimately if it is an ongoing problem there in London. Stop fighting and go for an alternative as Bob the Gardener said.
    Though it is sad, sometimes fighting the inevitable is more sapping of your time and just leaves you discouraged.

  • jonwhite1jonwhite1 Posts: 4
    Some brilliant advice and suggested alternatives from you all, i thoroughly appreciate it. I’ll give them a big trim while shopping for alternatives and keep you posted! Thanks all
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