English Box – Buxus sempervirens
For low formal hedges, English Box in one of the most popular of all of the Buxus varieties.
It is slow growing, making pruning less demanding, it has a naturally dense growth habit and the trademark glossy green foliage.
Not only used for hedging where it is planted from 15 – 30 cm apart, it is also widely used in topiary.
The slow growing nature means that English Box (Buxom sempervirens) can be kept looking neat with 2 – 3 pruning sessions a year.
The planting distance depends on how tall you want the hedge to grow and how fast you want it to fill in. It also depends on the soil, English Box planted in poor soils can struggle with the competition if planted to closely.
You can buy plants either bare rooted in winter or as potted plants year round. It is far cheaper to buy bare rooted plants.
English Box Care
The amount of care will depend on the soil, and if you are growing the plants in the ground, or in containers.
In the ground, and in good soil, you will need to water through the first summer. After this care, besides pruning is minimal.
In containers you will need to water regularly, and also fertilise more often. The root system should never be allowed to dry out.
Summary Information – English Box
- Landscaping Uses – Used for hedging, topiary, knot gardens and as an evergreen container plant.
- Position – Best in full sun, some shade is acceptable, power deep shade does not suit.
- Soil – For best results a humus rich, fertile well drained soil is best. English Box will grow in poorer soils, however with poorer results. Soil should tend towards the alkaline side rather than acidic.
- Fertiliser – Use an organic all purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer to autumn. An application of vermicaste tea as a foliar spray in autumn will help the plants thrive through winter. Water well before and after fertilising. As you will be planting the hedge fairly close, you will need to fertilise more often
English Box Hedge Spacing
As a rule, the taller the hedge, the further you plant apart. For a very low hedge, space at 15 cm, for a 1 meter English Box Hedge, space at 30 cm. For a taller hedge space at 45 cm
English Box Plants are available for sale from the following participating nurseries
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
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
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