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Space either end of boxus hedge wall.

SmudgerincSmudgerinc Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi, new here so apologise if break any sort of etiquette. 

I have a bit of a quandary which I hope some of the bright minds on here might assist with. We have and 8 foot or so boxus hedge set into a wall att he front of our house. Recently the wall in which they are bedded was extended 12 inches either side. This leaves a void either side which I'm not sure how to solve! We could plant a young boxus but they are such slow growers. We could also find a more mature boxus but they are quite expensive and may not take. 

Is there another option to top and tail the hedge that won't look really odd? any suggestions or images would be hugely appreciated. 

Thanks for reading this and hopefully someone can help. 

Adam
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Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    How tall is the hedge (presume you mean 8ft long, not high!) and how long ago was it planted?

    Box plants aren't expensive so you should be able to buy a few big bare root plants to extend the hedge... they will grow! Or you could train the hedge to fill the 12" gaps, if it is large. Otherwise you could dig up the plants at either end and then replant slightly further apart to ensure the gap is filled - obviously this is no good if your hedge is very established and large but it will work if they were only planted within the last few years.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • SmudgerincSmudgerinc Posts: 3
    Thanks for replying. The hedge is roughly 10 years old and about 70cm tall. This is definately an option, I guess I was looking for a more immediate solution as the box are very slow growers....but I'm not sure there is one tbh. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2022
    Hello @adamhundonrETczKMl and welcome to the forum 😊 

    A bit of ‘lateral thinking’ … what about planting something else … something quite different … sort of like a pair of ‘bookends’ , or pillars at each end of a wall … a different colour, texture and shape … a cone/spire perhaps?

    If you could post a photo of the hedge in situ we might have more ideas. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited October 2022
    Etiquette, schmettiquette, what does it matter as long as you are polite.

    Box are not that slow at growing.  I suggest a two-fold solution:  1, plant small box, 2.  allow the existing end boxtrees  to grow out.  They'll be half way there in one season.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I have a lower box hedge of about the same length with columns of Griselina littoralis at each end.  The leaf shape is similar to box but larger and it's evergreen.  It grows quickly, is readily available in various sizes and not expensive.  It's very adaptable, preferring sun but happy in shade.  As long as you don't get extreme winters where you are, it will be fine.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Some photos, taken earlier this year, showing Griselinia column at one end with low box hedge behind and rosemary trailing down sandstone wall:


    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    If you want something cheap, quick growing, and a nice contrast with Box, try the variegated Privet (Ligustrum argenteum). 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Griselinia is also available in a variegated form if you prefer a contrast, but it is slower growing than the green version. (I do find box slow growing here, but it depends on your soil, aspect and climate.)
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited October 2022
    @adamhundonrETczKMl If you did decide to purchase more Buxus plants I would take a small stem from the plants you already have as there are different forms and they can vary. Nothing would look worse than a slightly different plant at the two ends it will look like a later addition.
     At one time the advice was not to purchase at all but take cuttings due to blight. Twelve inches at each end is not very big I wonder in time if your hedge will do the job for you and fill out.
    Always good with a box hedge to have a couple of 'spares' perhaps elsewhere in a pot just incase one dies. So you could takes some cuttings next year.
    I am struggling to think of something that small that won't look odd other than two taller box plants that you could square off or form a cone but that will be expensive.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • SmudgerincSmudgerinc Posts: 3
    Thanks for the replies everyone, I will have a look into all the suggestions. Tbh, I think taking a cutting from the existing box to grow new ones may be the safest bet even if slow....now to work out how best to do that.

    Obvious I'm a bit of a novice! 
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