Box Hedging
Buxus Hedges or ‘Box Hedging’ are some of the most popular low growing hedging plants for sale in Australia. They are a hardy easy care group and with many varieties to choose from that will suite different applications and climates. Box hedging species are widely used in Parterre Gardens.
The most commonly grown variety is Buxus sempervirens or ‘English Box’, and Buxus microphylla.
The term “Japanese box hedge” refers fo Buxus microphylla japonica ( Japanese Boxwood ) a fast growing species.
If you can find it Buxus sinica var. insularis ‘Justin Bowers’ is a form that naturally grows to form a rounded ball, an interesting specimen in a container.
Buxus or Box Hedging Plant Profile and Growing Hints
This is one of the most commonly used hedging varieties, with its tight structure informs a tight barrier and is used widely for low hedges. Reasonably drought tolerant once established, although potted specimens need to be kept moist.
Choose your variety
If you are looking for hedging plants, you want multi stemmed bushy plants that are the same height. Topiary plants usually require a single stem.
Work out how many you need.
Generally for hedging you will need 5 plants per metre if using smaller tubestock or bare rooted plants. For a faster hedge, using advanced potted plants, 3 – 4 plants per metre will work.
Prepare the soil
Dig over the soil before planting, add some compost and aged cow manure along with a little blood and bone.
Planting
- Use a string line to ensure a straight hedge, measure out you planting distance and set the plants out.
- Once this looks even, dig the holes, plant and backfill. Plant right up to the lowest branches to ensure a hedge without gaps.
- Water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plants to n=maintain a cool root run.
- Water regularly through the first summer.
- Prune back to an even height and width in winter.
Pruning Buxus varieties
Hand clipping is best as it gives a nice clean cut, electric or petrol driven shears are quicker but can tear the plant.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing a box hedge it really fairly simple, in autumn some liquid seaweed fertilizer can be applied followed by some slow release ftype. Try to make sure that fertilizer is applied just outside the dripline.
If the lower foliage begins to ‘yellow’ a little its a sure sign that your box hedging needs little fertilizer.
In terms of other problems these tough plants are generally fairly ‘trouble free’.
Buxus Varieties
Buxus plants vary, growth rate, leaf shape, leaf color and growth habit itself. With distinct differences between the different varieties choosing the right variety is important.A list of some Buxus Varieties ::
- Buxus microphylla ‘Faulkner’ is a smaller growing plant used widely for low hedges,
- ‘Koreana’
- ‘Japonica’.
- Buxus suffruticosa
- Buxus sempervirens includes ‘Blauer Heinz’, ‘Longifolia’, ‘Emerald Pillar’, ‘Variegata.
- Buxus sempervivens ‘Graham Blandy’ with its columnar habit makes a fantastic narrow hedge or a tall feature plant, (also called Buxus ‘Emerald Pillar’)
Buxus plants and hedges for sale online
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au
601 Sunnyholt Road Parklea NSW 2768
Parklea Pots and Plants are affordable, open 7 days and have everything you need for your garden - of any size!. Pots, plants, water features, fruit trees, hedging, potting mix and more.
Opening hours 7 days a week from 8:30am to 5pm
www.potsandplants.com.au
Phone: 0411 435 314
Online Retailer of Landscaping Plants, large quantities of small pot sizes up to advanced sizes & plant Sourcing.
SYDNEY | NORTHERN NSW | GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE
www.egardens.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au
Wholesale Suppliers
WINTER HILL TREE FARM Ph: 02 4878 9193 Fax: 02 4878 9109
NSW Southern Highlands
Retail & Wholesale. Advanced trees & hedging. Grown in pots for year-round planting. 45 litre - 1000 litre available. Great range. Great Quality. Delivery available.
www.winterhill.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
Something Different – Buxus bodinieri
Sometimes called the ’Shaggy Box’, Buxus bodinieri with its bright green foliage offers landscapers and gardeners something a little different.
Used as a low hedge, it creates an informal look if left unpruned. With medium sized foliage it could also be used as a topiary plant.
The plant is native to China and it will grow well in part shade. It is suited for planting beneath deciduous trees close to the drip line.