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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: georgiesgirl on February 22, 2004, 14:04:50

Title: box hedge
Post by: georgiesgirl on February 22, 2004, 14:04:50
I would love to have a go at making a box hedge. With this in mind, i bought 2 buxus semperviren plants from B&Q last week.The plants have lots of new growth,and i realise that the growing on of these cuttings will take a long time, but want to give it a shot.
Is there a right time of the year to take the cuttings?
Any other suggestions on this process,will be taken on board.
thanks
anne
Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: PurpleHeather on May 29, 2008, 01:57:36
Four years ago this was posted and there is not one reply yet.

Wonder how she got on?
Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: ACE on May 29, 2008, 06:50:49
Left us all to go time travelling, judging by the last edit.
Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: thespade08 on May 29, 2008, 17:47:52
Quote from: georgiesgirl on February 22, 2004, 14:04:50
I would love to have a go at making a box hedge. With this in mind, i bought 2 buxus semperviren plants from B&Q last week.The plants have lots of new growth,and i realise that the growing on of these cuttings will take a long time, but want to give it a shot.
Is there a right time of the year to take the cuttings?
Any other suggestions on this process,will be taken on board.
thanks
anne


You can take softwood or semi -ripe cuttings in late spring to early autumn,but be prepared for a variable strike rate that can be low.

Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: Garden Manager on May 31, 2008, 09:58:34
Be prepared to be very patient. Despite what the books, magazines and TV experts have said about box cuttings over the years, ie that they are quick and easy, it took about 4 years to get useable plants from cuttings.  So if the poster had taken the cuttings when they first posted they would just about have some decent sized plants by now! :o

That said my expereince is with the dwarf variety 'suffruticosa'. I dont know if the main species Buxus sempervirens is any quicker from cuttings.

On the subject of box. When is the best time to plant young plants out? I have been meanig to plant out some homegrown plants for some time now but just havent been able to find the right time to do it!
Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: saddad on June 01, 2008, 00:35:15
Germander is a much better bet, it's quicker, can be totally stooled, cuttings root quickly and if you for get to trim it itonly gets knee high and has beautiful pink flower spikes as well.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/ClematisObelisk607.jpg)

;D
Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: Garden Manager on June 01, 2008, 11:13:05
Quote from: saddad on June 01, 2008, 00:35:15
Germander is a much better bet, it's quicker, can be totally stooled, cuttings root quickly and if you for get to trim it itonly gets knee high and has beautiful pink flower spikes as well.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/ClematisObelisk607.jpg)

;D

Is that what the hedge in the photo is made from? Looks good and at that distance virtualy indistinguishable from box. Germander? Whats its latin name? Is it readily available?

Another good alternative to box (while we are on the subject) is lonicera nitida, a shrubby honeysuckle. I have some in my garden. It makes a dense evergreen hedge but is really only suitable for small/low hedges - tall ones tend to flop around in the wind. Vigourous and can be hard pruned if it gets out of hand (prone to doing so if not regularly maintained).
Title: Re: box hedge
Post by: littlebabybird on June 04, 2008, 04:21:56
Teucrium chamaedrys is germanda