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Buxus (?) hedge died. Advice please

lister_lizardlister_lizard Posts: 21
in Problem solving
Hi,

six box bushes, I think they are called Buxus, have died. 

They sort of went silver and then brown (photo attached). It seemed to move between each hedge but not the other plant in between.

Any ideas what it is? Also can I just remove them and replace with the same or will it just keep happening and I should replace with a totally different plant?

Thanks :) 
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  • lister_lizardlister_lizard Posts: 21


    Second photo - took a while to figure out how to do this 😂
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    The photos have a hint of webbing on the plants.....if that is indeed the case then you may be under attack from box tree caterpillars.

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Hi @lister_lizard It looks like you have Box Tree moth. It lays it's eggs on Box, and the larvae defoliate the plants. They don't always kill the plants, but they look really awful, and it cake take years to regenerate.

    It's quite a political topic on the Forum. Some people try to fight it, by picking off the caterpillars twice a year, by using pheromone traps to catch the adult moths, and by cutting back much of the worst of the damage.

    Others, like me, have ditched all of their Box, and replaced it with something completely different. I'm not sure why one plant was untouched, perhaps it is genetically slightly different. We have neighbouring gardens with quite healthy Box plants, when almost all of the gardens in the area have lost their Box to the moth, there is no logic to it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

  • lister_lizardlister_lizard Posts: 21
    Ah thanks!

    So I can just replace with different plants and they should be ok?
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    If you replace with more Box, it is highly likely you will get further similar infestation and damage. You can replace with something else completely, and these shouldn't be affected by Box moth, which to my knowledge only attacks that plant species.

    If you do decide to replace with something different, try to understand the conditions of the site in which your plants are located (sunny/shady/dry/wet, etc), and try to find plants that like those conditions. They will be more likely to thrive. 


  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    You may like to look at something like Lonicera nitida - it makes a dense evergreen hedge if that is what you are after.  Needs regular trimming so depends on your maintenance time .
    As @KeenOnGreen says, if it is box caterpillar, you are on a losing wicket - a shame as Box does make a nice hedge but best to go with the flow of nature if you don't want to drive yourself mad  :)
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Lonicera is not a bad replacement.  But is very flexible.  It will need a bit of support.
     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."
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Not necessary if you keep it trimmed properly.  L nitida will form a nice thick hedge relatively quickly.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - the loniceras are excellent as an alternative. Good and sturdy, and will withstand virtually anything. Easy to prune/shape as you say @KeenOnGreen .
    I take it someone has mentioned staking for some reason? Loniceras, either nitida or pileata, don't need staking. They're dense and solid, as in your pic. Excellent as a hedge as @philippasmith2 says.  
    I have a bright green one which is and excellent hedge, and is very similar to box. 

    The only disadvantage is that they grow pretty quickly, so need trimming a bit more often.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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