Box hedging has gone from the lowest-maintenance shrub in the garden to one that needs regular checking, thanks to a single pest.
Box (buxus) hedging is a slow-growing, formal evergreen that needs only an occasional trim to hold its shape, but has become a high-risk plant in recent years thanks to box tree caterpillar, which can strip it bare within days if missed. Regular checks of new growth matter more now than pruning technique.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prune | Prune in May | Prune in June | Prune in July | Prune in August | ||||||||
| Protect | Protect in June | Protect in July | Protect in August | Protect in September |
Care details
- Prune May – August
Trim on an overcast day, never in full midday sun, to avoid scorching the cut edges.
- Protect June – September
Check new growth for the fine webbing of box tree caterpillar — catch it early, it can strip a plant in days.
Growing tips & common problems
- Inspect new growth regularly for fine webbing — the first sign of box tree caterpillar, which can strip a plant within days.
- Trim on an overcast day rather than in strong sun, to avoid scorching the freshly cut edges.
- Water newly planted or recently trimmed hedging well — stressed plants are more vulnerable to both pests and disease.
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