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Boxtree moth and caterillar AGAIN

bédébédé Posts: 3,095
in Plants
My garden is not exactly Levens Hall.  But my many boxtrees, mostly clipped as balls, is an important part of the effect.  I wouldn't give them up without a fight.

Mine received a lot of attention last year and a mainly caterpillat-free.

At the moment the leaves are growing quickly and it is very clear where a caterpliiar is lurking.  Now is possiby the best time of the year, to pick them off, or squash them, or to apply a recommended spray.  
 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."
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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I caught several of the pretty moths in my moth trap last year. There is currently a lot of box tree moth caterpillars about here on the Notts/Derbys border.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    What was it you were saying about spelling?
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    Being vigilant is my approach if I can get them through another year by regular inspection I will happy. Next year could be another story, I will deal with it then.
    Gardeners are thinking outside the Box[ if you see what I mean] when it comes to alternatives. It needs an open mind to moving gradually onto different things. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited May 2023
    I gave up last year and dug all my many dwarf box hedges out. Quite a relief not to have to worry about the box moth caterpillar and also reduces the maintenance. I was particularly sorry though to see a rather attractive old small variegated box tree has got it again and looks horrendous. It's on the fenceline behind a leaf bin so very inaccessible.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Lizzie27 It is very sad, I think that gardeners need time to think things through when caterpillar appears. Over time and after a battle the best thing is to let go and move on to growing something else. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Defeatists the lot of you.  Where's your spirit?
     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."
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Who's following whom?
     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."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that's very sensible @Lizzie27. I said similar on another thread. Why continue to force something to work when it clearly isn't, and there are alternatives anyway.  :)

    They were doing a small update on Beechgrove last night about alternative hedging, although I'm not sure why they picked some of the hedging that they did, as much of it wasn't really a good alternative to box, but it was started a long time ago, so that makes a difference too. It was largely concerned with blight problems though, as the caterpillar/moth isn't really present up here. Some of the loniceras are better than others too, so they're worth trying, although they need more trimming.
    Depends, as always, on location/climate too. East is notoriously drier than west which makes a massive difference, although we've had their weather recently and they've had ours  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @bede Posted yesterday afternoon as you well know. Obviously you have read the other thread and are unable to give an alternative. This is a Gardening Forum so why not? 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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