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Box Hedge - Rootball vs Pot grown

Dano28Dano28 Posts: 18
in Problem solving
Hi,

First post on the forum.

We are starting our front garden makeover this month and would like to plant a box hedge. First off we have read that box can be planted anytime of the year, is this good advice?

Secondly whether rootball or potted is the way to go, are their any advantages to one or the other? 

Thanks 

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I can't advise you which is best, but I would strongly advise you to Google box blight.
    You might decide to think of something else to use for your hedge. There are some other similar plants.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Dano28Dano28 Posts: 18
    Thank you, I have read about the current issues with box, is this to say it is inevitable?

    i have looked at some of the alternatives.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Just about to get rid of all of our remaining Box.  No problems with blight, but it has been decimated by Box Tree Caterpillar for 3 years in a row now.  Wouldn’t recommend anyone to invest significant money on it.  There are lots of great alternatives which are almost pest and disease free. 
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Just a fact about any plant when you are considering pot grown or bare root. Bare root plants are only available Nov-Mar whilst pot grown plants are available all year round and can be planted all year round. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    Another vote for choosing something other than box!   You don’t say where in the UK you are, but the box moth is sweeping across the country and if it isn’t in your area it will be sometime soon..  Yes it can be controlled, but that’s time and money.  We have made the reluctant decision to let our 25 year old hedge get destroyed and focus on keeping one box ball alive. 

    If plants are properly root balled then they can be planted outside the bare root season...
  • Dano28Dano28 Posts: 18
    It’s sounds best to avoid the hassle further down the road then..

    Looking at Ilex Crenata or Yew then I’m that case as alternatives..
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    I’d favour ilex -some great varieties and a bit quicker to grow to hedge sized.
  • Dano28Dano28 Posts: 18
    Does anyone have any suggestions for suppliers?  Looking for around 17m worth of and wanting to go for a 30-50cm size for an instant hedge.

    Have looked at Grasslands and Hedgesdirect, have no experience of either...
  • Dano28Dano28 Posts: 18
    Have come across, Euonymus japonicus 'Jean Hugues', which seems to also be a nice alternative?
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