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Best box alternatives: selection

The challenges of box blight and box tree caterpillar mean many gardeners are looking to planting alternative shrubs to create low hedges and topiary specimens. We asked professional gardeners, our advisors, the gardening public and members of the RHS which evergreen alternatives to box they have been planting and how they have been performing. The results have helped inform this list of the best box alternatives found so far.

Practical tips

First of all, use our guide to choosing box alternatives to help you decide what’s right for your garden. There are advantages and disadvantages to the plants listed below.

All shrubs listed are suitable for topiary and hedging. Some are better suited to being kept low than others. They will all respond well to being clipped once a year, or more often as required.

It’s best to plant evergreens in spring and deciduous shrubs in either spring or autumn. If your plants have been grown in containers, you can plant at any time of year, but ensuring adequate water may be challenging if you plant in summer.

Planting trees and shrubs

Ilex crenata used to be recommended as an ideal alternative to box. From our experience and members’ enquiries, this plant dislikes hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. It thrives best in cool summer temperatures and well-drained, slightly acidic soil that has summer moisture. This may make it an unsuitable choice for many gardens in the UK.

The following list of best box alternatives is divided into categories according to hardiness, use and desired look, allowing you to find a plant that suits your particular needs.

In the spirit of box – evergreen and small-leaved

This selection gives ideas for low hedges and topiary up to 90cm. These plants can also be used for larger features. Their small leaves, neat appearance and ability to regrow when trimmed at a low height, while staying fully clothed in leaves at the base, makes them good box alternatives.

Tender in below-freezing temperatures in the UK

These shrubs have performed well as box replacements, but are not hardy in temperatures under -8°C. The hardiness ratings are given within the individual plant profiles. They may be well suited to maritime areas or city centres where frosts are rare.

Flowering box alternatives

Plants that flower and react well to being clipped offer a great deal, even though they don’t look like box. They attract pollinators over a long period in summer and create a more relaxed, informal low hedge. For example, these make perfect edging to a vegetable plot.

Shrubs suitable for topiary and hedges 90cm tall or more

Some shrubs are hard to keep small without becoming bare at the base. These are best used to create hedges and topiary taller than 90cm. In addition, some shrubs selected have larger leaves and are more in proportion for topiary, cloud pruning or slightly taller hedges. Bear in mind that Pittosporum and bay will be not be hardy in temperatures under -8°C.

Broaden the choice: coloured foliage and deciduous shrubs

To extend the choice of low hedging plants to replace box, you could consider coloured foliage. Deciduous shrubs such as Berberis perform very well in our walled garden box alternatives trial at RHS Garden Wisley. Semi-evergreen privets (Ligustrum) are also very worthwhile.

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