Low hedges made of closely spaced boxwood as border for beds are known primarily from old cottage and baroque gardens. Star-shaped gardens are particularly popular here, in which the individual beds and paths converge on a central point, which is of course also bordered with boxwood. But boxwood not only cuts a fine figure in historical garden forms, it is also suitable for modern garden styles.
A box hedge is a beautiful natural option for edging beds
Which types of boxwood are suitable for edging beds?
There are around 70 different Buxus species, of which the common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) and the small-leaved boxwood (Buxus microphylla) are the most common in this country. Both are well suited, very tolerant of pruning and frost hardy. The only problem is their susceptibility to the box tree moth, which prefers to settle on these two species. You should also choose varieties that are resistant to fungal diseases, because boxwood dieback and other fungicidal diseases present the gardener with just as big problems as the introduced Asian moth. The following slow-growing and hardy varieties, for example, are well suited for edging:
- Buxus microphylla 'Herrenhausen'
- Buxus 'Green Gem'
- Buxus microphylla 'Golden Dream'
Check plants carefully when buying
Check each plant carefully for possible infestation with the box tree moth and other pests and diseases before you buy it. Only buy healthy and strong plants! Pay more attention to:
- strong shoots and leaves
- strong, dark green leaves
- no leaf and shoot spots
- no dried spots on leaves or shoots
- no webs in the plant
- no box tree moth eggs on the underside of the leaf (light yellow, lenticular dots)
How to plant the bed edging
Finally, you can plant the healthy plants, usually offered in pots or bare-root, as a bed border:
- Place plants with their roots in a bucket filled with water
- Mark out the planting site and loosen it deeply
- If necessary, incorporate compost and horn shavings (32.93€).
- Lay out and check box plants closely spaced
- Planting distance is about ten centimeters for plants about 15 centimeters high
- Insert box, press down well and pour on
- then shorten to two thirds
- Always keep the hedge slightly moist until it grows in
- supply with a suitable fertilizer, e.g. B. a boxwood fertilizer
- Cut back every four weeks for dense growth
The best time to create the bed edging is spring.
tips
Beds can also be beautifully bordered with 'Bloombux' (a small-leaved rhododendron), dwarf yew, Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) or the native holly (Ilex aquifolium) or a dwarf privet as replacement plants.