Box (Buxus sempervirens)

The dark and small evergreen leaves have an average growth rate of 10-15cm per annum. Besides this, the little undistinguished flowers that come through on Box hedging in summer, are very popular with bees, providing you with that little additional wildlife interest.

The Box hedging will only need a trim once/twice a year, and we recommend a well-rotted, or mulch, compost to keep your Box hedging in the best condition, along with the use of seaweed fertiliser and root grow as a feed in the spring. In terms of pruning, you can prune back young box plants by up to a third within their first year of growth (this is to encourage a dense, bushy new growth). If you already have a bushy hedge, then your Box can be pruned once/twice a year only, within May and August time.

When should I plant?

The best time, in general, to plant your hedging is during the autumn, but potted plants can be planted at any time of year if they get enough water, and the ground is not frozen.

How far apart do you plant?

Depending on the size of plant, you will need to place your hedging plants around 2ft apart. This does depend on how quickly you're looking for the hedge to establish, however, as we recommend up to 5 plants per metre for the smaller plant sizes.

How to plant:

Ensure the area is clear of other plants, weeds, and grass first.

Dig the holes or a trench for the plants, that's twice the width of the plant's base. When you are digging the hole, ensure you have churned it up at the bottom so the roots can settle easier. If you have a very sandy/hardy soil, then put in some loam-based compost. In terms of normal soil, you will need some controlled-release feed to give the planting a starting boost.

Once this is all done, you can put the plant in! Place it into the middle of the hole carefully and slowly, making sure the top of the roots are 1/2 inch below the soils surface. Refill the hole, then press gently around the edges to secure the soil.