Description
Planting a Buxus sempervirens (Common Box) hedge is a timeless way to add structure, elegance, and year-round greenery to your garden. Here’s a complete guide to help you plant and care for your box hedge.
🌱 Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Buxus Sempervirens
1. Choose the Right Time
- Best planted in spring or autumn when the soil is moist and temperatures are mild.
- Bare-root plants are ideal from November to March, while container-grown ones can be planted year-round if the ground isn’t frozen.
2. Prepare the Ground
- Clear the area of weeds, stones, and roots.
- Dig a trench (not individual holes) slightly wider than the root ball.
- Mix in well-rotted compost or manure to enrich the soil.
3. Spacing and Alignment
- For a dense hedge, plant 5 per meter (about 20 cm apart).
- Use a taut string line to keep the row straight.
4. Planting Technique
- Soak bare-root plants overnight before planting.
- Place each plant at the same depth it was grown in the nursery.
- Firm the soil around the roots gently but securely.
5. Watering and Care
- Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist during establishment.
- Avoid trimming immediately; let the plants settle first.
- Clip lightly in late spring and more thoroughly in winter on frost-free days.
🌿 Maintenance Tips
- Sun or Shade: Box thrives in both, but prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Pruning: Mid to late summer is ideal to maintain shape.
- Pests & Diseases: Watch for box blight and caterpillars. Quarantine new plants before adding them to existing hedges.
