Althoughboxwoods(Buxusspp . ) regularly come to mind as classic plants forhedges and accents , they have a few issues and many people do n’t care for them . Boxwoodswerebrought to North America from Europe in the mid-17th 100 , pass the genus the moniker " Man ’s Oldest Garden Ornamental , " note The American Boxwood Society . The more common species and cultivar grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture works hardiness zona 4 through 9 , with variances among types . Several other plant life make worthy substitutes , especially if you do n’t care for boxwoods .
Boxwood Problems
box are generally hardy and low - maintenance , which adds to their continued use . But they are susceptible to a few pests and diseases , notablyboxwood blight , a fungous disease that ’s problematic in several states . Many the great unwashed also do not like the olfactory perception of boxwoods , which some equate to ammonia water or cat pee .
Substitute: Holly
Holly ( Ilexspp . ) look similar to boxwood and several cultivars can stand in Turkish boxwood ’s place . Hollies have evergreen , broad - riff leafage and manytolerate shearing and shaping , like the common boxwoods grow as hedging or specimens .
Japanese holly and its cultivars(Ilex crenatacvs . ) , which spring up in USDA zones 5 through 7 , earned " best ( boxwood ) look - likewise " from Ken Cote of Indiana ’s Department of Natural Resources . Japanese holly has lustrous green leaf , much like boxwood .
Warning
Japanese holly is consideredinvasivein parts of the U.S.
Inkberry(Ilex glabra ) , which grows in USDA zones 5 through 9 , can also stand in for box . Unlike Japanese holly , inkberry is native to the U.S. and make a impertinent choice for acasual hedge or accent plant . peck an inkberry cultivar that best matches the Turkish boxwood you ’re trying to exchange .
Substitute: Bayberry
Bayberry(Myrica pensylvanica ) grows in USDA zone 3 through 7 and is native to eastern North America . Bayberry is deciduous in cool climate but stays green twelvemonth - round in warmer zona . Itsrounded leaveslook similar to long box leave of absence .
Like Turkish boxwood , bayberry stomach both full sun and partial shade . It does best in dry to intermediate soils . Do n’t prune it — countenance it grow into a giving , cozy hedge .
Substitute: Arborvitae
Eastern arborvitaes(Thuja occidentalis ) , which mature in USDA zone 2 through 8 , bet on cultivar , also come in a variety of size and shapes to complement nearly any grounds style . Although they do n’t fleece as well as boxwood , many naturally grow intodistinctive condition , such as globular or conical . Some attain around 1 foot tall while others may tower at 30 or more foot . Many arborvitaes have feathery foliage as opposed to the phonograph needle of conifers or shiny , rounded leaves of Turkish boxwood . Mr. Bowling Ballarborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis’Bobazam ' ) spring up in USDA zones 2 through 7 and reaches 1 to 3 feet grandiloquent . This variety produce into anearly perfect world , making it a solid pick for a miserable - maintenance grouping planting or low hedge in a formal garden .
Tip
Arborvitae’sfeathery leavesoffer you both the density needed for a hedge or screenland , and texture for complementing your home or other plants .
Substitute: Needled Evergreens
Both spruces ( Picea spp . ) and junipers ( Juniperus spp . ) can make good stand - ins for boxwood , particularly as looser hedge or specimen plants .
Dwarf Norway spruces , such as’Pumila’spruce ( Picea abies’Pumila ' ) allow dense , green needles andshort , compact growthhabits . ' Pumila ' reaches 2 to 4 feet tall and grows in USDA zone 3 through 7 .
' Blue Vase ' Formosan juniper(Juniperus chinensis’Blue Vase ' ) get hold of 4 to 5 animal foot tall and grows in USDA geographical zone 4 through 9 . This adaptable Chinese juniper bush makes a useful specimen or accent industrial plant . you’re able to also use it as afocal pointwhen placed along borders or foot .
