Super-useful JP! This is going to be a good aide-memoire for everyone looking for structure in shade.
I can vouch for them, having used all these and can vouch for their performance - ilex crenata can be slow, but worth the wait as long as you don’t mind doing so! Lonicera nitida is fab for what I call ‘wibbly’ low hedging - I’ve just used it in a garden which needed to withstand two young footballers, and it’s working a treat! Taxus always looks elegant - I do find will turn up its toes if it gets soggy, so excellent drainage is definitely key.
Yes, I bought two Ilex Crenata balls and they were very slow growing, but this year seem to have taken off. Thank you Jo and good to know all of these alternatives can be relied upon.
Thank you , as someone recently moved to Chichester area with a big garden to renovate , it’s like a wild wood at the moment , this is so helpful . I have driven near by to Architectural plants several times and wondered if it was open to the general public.
Such a huge fan of Architectural Plants too - quality and service is impeccable and so much inspiration to be found there. Very useful read JP thank you x x
Most of the boxwoods round here were lost to a long, sub-freezing blast in Dec. of '22. I'll keep this list and run it by my local nursery folk (so many things turn out to be invasive here!) and proceed. Thanks for the wonderful detail!
Super-useful JP! This is going to be a good aide-memoire for everyone looking for structure in shade.
I can vouch for them, having used all these and can vouch for their performance - ilex crenata can be slow, but worth the wait as long as you don’t mind doing so! Lonicera nitida is fab for what I call ‘wibbly’ low hedging - I’ve just used it in a garden which needed to withstand two young footballers, and it’s working a treat! Taxus always looks elegant - I do find will turn up its toes if it gets soggy, so excellent drainage is definitely key.
Yes, I bought two Ilex Crenata balls and they were very slow growing, but this year seem to have taken off. Thank you Jo and good to know all of these alternatives can be relied upon.
When I say ‘shade’ I meant ‘the garden’ 🤣
🤣🩷
Thank you , as someone recently moved to Chichester area with a big garden to renovate , it’s like a wild wood at the moment , this is so helpful . I have driven near by to Architectural plants several times and wondered if it was open to the general public.
It is, you just need to make an appointment. They are so helpful and friendly. They can also design your garden and they will plant everything too!
Such a huge fan of Architectural Plants too - quality and service is impeccable and so much inspiration to be found there. Very useful read JP thank you x x
Aren’t they amazing! Thank you Ali.
They really are the best! X
Great content….gave me some ideas!
Thanks Debs. Hope you’re well.
Most of the boxwoods round here were lost to a long, sub-freezing blast in Dec. of '22. I'll keep this list and run it by my local nursery folk (so many things turn out to be invasive here!) and proceed. Thanks for the wonderful detail!
That’s a really sensible idea Mary Katherine.
This is brilliant JP!
Sophie thank you so much for saying that. Xx
Brilliant information 👍
My absolute pleasure Anne and thank you
Excellent article- thank you!
You are most welcome Julie.
Thank you JP! Very good information on other options for boxwood! As always a great article! 😍🥰😘🌳🌳🌳
You’re very kind Chriss. Enjoy your day.
Thanks so much for this JP. So useful. Which would be your favourite for a ball or spiral?
I have to say I really loved the wild olive and also the Lonicera.
Thanks! I’ll pop these in my notes for future reference! Xxx
Excellent choices here, JP, thank you.
I can vouch for Euonymous japonica "Jean Hughes" which is being used to replace the lost buxus in my mum's garden.
I've planted Prunus lusitanica mophead standards and balls in a client's garden and it is a stunning evergreen.
Phyllerea is a very underused plant in gardens, (wonder why?) be it for topiary or other.
Ilex crenata was always prohibitably expensive so I've never opted for it. And very slow, though beautiful.
This is such a detailed post and worth saving for reminding.
My favourite of all these perennials, though, is the very lush, architectural "Guy Watts" variety.
(In your dreams, girl!😅)
Happy Wednesday, JP!
🤣🤣 Brilliant comment!
😂😂
Really helpful article, thank you. I bailed with my boxes a couple of years ago as they were wholly attacked by 🐛
The little blighters! I’m really excited about the Wild Olive. It’s so lush and green in real life. I think that might be my favourite.
That was the one that immediately caught my eye. I miss my big balls 🤣
🤣🤣😳
So useful! Thank you.
My pleasure India. X
Thank you for all this information, we had to get rid of 12 beautiful box plants that I loved and shaped for 14 years 😤😤because of the caterpillars 🐛
It’s utterly heartbreaking isn’t it! Thank goodness for these disease-free options.
I may be referring back to this JP if our box bush doesn’t recover, very helpful xx
Well, here’s hoping it does. X