The traditional boxwood is gradually disappearing from gardens - the culprits include the fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola, which is responsible for the shoot death, and the stubborn boxwood moth. Both fungi and pests have been causing devastating damage for several years, so that many a gardener pulls the ripcord with a heavy heart and looks around for a suitable alternative. In recent years, many similar plants with comparable properties have come onto the market. This article provides an overview.

Holly is also evergreen

Box-leaved barberry 'Nana' (Berberis buxifolia)

Berberis buxifolia is evergreen, grows bushy and very densely branched. In addition, the variety hardly grows more than half a meter in height, which makes it perfect for low hedges and borders, but also for single and group plantings. The small, leathery and rounded leaves are glossy dark green. Plant the dwarf shrub in a sunny to partially shaded spot 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 'Renke's Kleiner Grüner' variety in particular is ideal for use as a trimmed hedge plant or topiary. It is robust, adaptable, very durable and cut-friendly. Basically, the yew feels at home 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 are tempting to carelessly snacking in autumn!

Evergreen honeysuckle 'Maigrün' (Lonicera nitida)

The evergreen, richly branched and densely leafed shrub is mainly used for large areas of greenery or for low cut hedges. The variety grows about one to one and a half meters high and just as wide. The leathery, broadly ovate and up to 1.2 centimeters long leaves are glossy dark green. The small, white and slightly fragrant flowers are hardly noticeable between the dense foliage. The spherical, violet berries are also rather inconspicuous. The compact growing variety is best in a sunny to semi-shady location, is very undemanding in terms of 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 single and group plantings, but also for cut hedges or topiaries. The species grows densely leafy and, depending on the variety, can reach a height of between two and three meters. The glossy dark green leaves are elliptical in shape and grow up to three centimeters long. In addition to the varieties mentioned above, 'Dark Green' is also a great alternative to the 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 sun and lime tolerance. The variety grows very slowly (maximum up to 100 centimeters in ten years) and is considered to be very tolerant of pruning, although the pruning period is severely limited due to the flowering in May. In addition, 'Bloombux' has very high demands in terms of location and soil: the soil should be fresh, but permeable and humic, and also acidic to slightly acidic.

Spindle bush 'Green Rocket' (Euonymus japonicus)

The 'Green Rocket' variety is perfect for low borders and grows very densely. Prune them the first time right after planting to encourage branching. Later, the pruning takes place twice a year. If you want to add a little more color to the garden, you can also plant the cultivars '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. In terms of location and soil, the spindle shrub is quite undemanding.

Holly 'Heckenzwerg' (Ilex aquifolium)

The evergreen ornamental tree is very well suited for free-growing and cut 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 thorny teeth. The species prefers a light-shady to shady location with well-drained and nutrient-rich soil.

Tree of life 'Tiny Tim' (Thuja occidentalis)

The occidental tree of life, also known as Thuja, has a great variety: Some varieties reach heights of up to 15 or 17 meters, while others are dwarf and even grow more spherical. Especially the varieties 'Danica' (up to 80 centimeters high and one meter wide, green foliage), 'Golden Globe' (up to two meters high and tall, golden yellow foliage) and 'Tiny Tim' (up to 120 centimeters high and one and a half meters wide . green foliage) are very suitable for ball 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, is robust and adaptable. In addition, privet is a valuable bird protection and nutrient tree and popular as bee pasture.

tips

Instead of going straight to a completely different type of wood, you can also plant the Buxus microphylla, which is less susceptible to diseases and pests. In particular, the varieties 'Faulkner' and 'Herrenhausen' are recommended here.

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Vegetable garden