The traditional boxwood is gradually disappearing from the gardens - the fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola, which is responsible for the shoot death, and the stubborn boxwood moth are to blame, among other things. Both the fungus and the pest have been causing devastating damage for several years, so that many a gardener with a heavy heart is pulling the ripcord and looking for a suitable alternative. In recent years, many similar plants with comparable properties have come onto the market. In this article you will find an overview.
Which plants are good alternatives to boxwood?
Buxus-leaved barberry, yew, evergreen honeysuckle, Japanese holly, rhododendron 'Bloombux', spindle bush, holly 'Heckenzwerg', arborvitae 'Tiny Tim' and dwarf privet 'Lodense' are suitable as replacements for boxwood. They are similar in appearance, care and use.
Buxus-leaved barberry 'Nana' (Berberis buxifolia)
Berberis buxifolia is evergreen, grows bushy and has very dense branches. In addition, the variety barely grows more than half a meter high, which is why it is perfect for low hedges and borders, but also for individual and group plantings. The small, leathery and rounded leaves are shiny dark green. Plant the dwarf shrub in a sunny to partially shaded location with fresh, well-drained soil. It tolerates both slightly acidic and alkaline soil.
Yew 'Renke's Kleiner Grüner' (Taxus baccata)
In terms of shade tolerance and cut resistance, only the European yew can compete with the boxwood. The variety 'Renke's Kleiner Grüner' in particular is ideal for use as a cut hedge plant or topiary. It is robust, adaptable, very durable and cut-friendly. Basically, the yew feels comfortable in any location, whether sunny or shady, whether on sandy or loamy soil, slightly acidic to alkaline. However, parents and pet owners should be careful: all parts of the yew tree are highly poisonous, and the bright red berries in particular tempt people to snack carelessly in autumn!
Evergreen honeysuckle 'Maygrün' (Lonicera nitida)
The evergreen, richly branched and densely leafy shrub is primarily used for large areas of greenery or for low cut hedges. The variety grows to around one to one and a half meters high and just as wide. The leathery, broadly ovate leaves, up to 1.2 centimeters long, are shiny, dark green. The small, white and slightly fragrant flowers are hardly noticeable among the dense foliage. The spherical, purple berries are also rather inconspicuous. The compact growing variety is best placed in a sunny to semi-shady location, is very undemanding when it comes to soil conditions and can also tolerate heavy pruning.
Japanese holly 'Glorie Gem', 'Glorie Dwarf', 'Luxus Globe' (Ilex crenata)
The slow-growing, evergreen shrub is very suitable for individual and group plantings, but also for cut hedges or topiaries. The species grows with dense leaves and, depending on the variety, can reach a height of between two and three meters. The glossy dark green leaves have an elliptical shape and are up to three centimeters long. In addition to the varieties mentioned above, 'Dark Green' is also a great alternative to boxwood: This variety grows very densely branched and is also shade and pruning tolerant.
Rhododendron 'Bloombux' (Rhododendron micranthum)
This is a relatively new variant of the small-leaved rhododendron, which is characterized by its high tolerance to sunlight and lime. The variety grows very slowly (up to a maximum of 100 centimeters in ten years) and is considered to be very tolerant of pruning, although the pruning period is severely limited by the flowering in May. In addition, 'Bloombux' has very high demands regarding location and soil: The soil should be fresh, but permeable and humus-rich, and it should also be acidic to slightly acidic.
Spindle bush 'Green Rocket' (Euonymus japonicus)
The 'Green Rocket' variety is perfect for low borders and it also grows very densely. Prune the first time immediately after planting to encourage branching. Later pruning takes place twice a year. If you want to add a little more color to the garden, you can also plant the varieties 'Emerald Gaiety' or 'Emerald' Gold' of the species Euonymus fortunei. The attractive foliage plants are richly branched and reach a maximum height of 125 or 50 centimeters. The spindle bush is quite undemanding in terms of location and soil.
Holly 'Hedge Dwarf' (Ilex aquifolium)
The evergreen ornamental tree is very suitable for free-growing and trimmed hedges and is particularly noticeable because of its foliage: the dark green, shiny leaves are up to nine centimeters long, are more or less wavy at the edge and have prickly teeth. The species prefers a light to shady location with well-drained and nutrient-rich soil.
Tree of life 'Tiny Tim' (Thuja occidentalis)
The Western arborvitae, also known as thuja, has a wide variety of varieties: some varieties reach heights of up to 15 or 17 meters, while others are dwarf and even grow in a more spherical shape. Especially the varieties 'Danica' (up to 80 centimeters high and one meter wide, green foliage), 'Golden Globe' (up to two meters high and high, golden yellow foliage) and 'Tiny Tim' (up to 120 centimeters high and one and a half meters wide.green foliage) are very suitable for spherical cuts.
Dwarf privet 'Lodense' (Ligustrum vulgare)
This is a dwarf variety of the native common privet. The compact and densely branched variant grows up to 70 centimeters high and is robust and adaptable. In addition, privet is a valuable bird protection and nutritional tree and is popular as a pasture for bees.
Tip
Instead of choosing a completely different type of tree, you can also plant Buxus microphylla, which is less susceptible to diseases and pests. The varieties 'Faulkner' and 'Herrenhausen' are particularly recommended here.