Will Japanese box hedge grow faster in ground or container?

chloesmith61 · May 2020

Hi,

Will Japanese box hedge grow faster in the ground or in the pot they came in?

We have a part of our box hedge missing, (removed due to caterpillar moth). Keen for the Japanese box hedge to grow quickly into the shape of current box hedge. Currently they are in pots in full sun, when planted in ground they will be
a lot more shaded.

I have bought ericaeous soil for it - hoping that's right.

Thanks!!

KeenOnGreen · May 2020

It's another variety of Buxus, so they can cope with some shade. As greedy, hungry plants (for water and food), all Buxus usually do better in the ground.

If your new plants are small, and you are going to plant them within a mature hedge, they may be out-competed for water and nutrients, so it might be better to keep them in pots until the Autumn (keeping them well fed and watered). That way you will plant them as bigger, stronger plants, and the Autumn and Winter rains will help get them established.

If the gap in your hedge where you removed the old plants is big enough that they won't be competing with each other, then you could plant now, but you will still need to water regularly during the Summer. A photo of where you plan to plant them might help people give you the best advice.

Will Japanese box hedge grow faster in ground or container?

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