First box blight and now the risk of box tree caterpillar. Is our ongoing relationship with box seriously coming under threat? And are attempts to keep both disease and pest attack at bay futile, when there are alternatives.
Clipped edging and topiary have long been a staple in many an English garden. Yew (taxus) in particular, is the king. Not only as a superb evergreen hedge but also as playful objects, with many an intriguing shape scultpured by mans' creativity. Such is the size of these individuals creations, they are left generally for the more prominent positions in the garden...and a large one at that!
 |
| Topiary at Great Dixter |
Something smaller that would be suitable to edge a sunny path, could be one of the many varieties of lavender. A tidy up in early spring keeps the plants relatively contained, taking care not to cut back into old wood, and a quick clip in autumn to remove the flowered stems. If you wish to create a more relaxed form of edging to separate two areas of the garden, Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' could be the answer and offers you a naturalistic option. One cut mid-spring is all that's needed.
 |
| Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' |
About 4 years a go I started work on a new client's garden and during that time we've made numerous additions and edits to enhance the outdoor space. One site that was in need of a little creativity was around the back of the house where the sloping lawn butts up to the adjoining patio. This 'not-so-green' carpet, always struggled to look pleasing, particularly in summer, given the gradient and poor soil.
By removing an arc of grass to make a new border, this sloping ground was planted up with Teucrium x lucidrys (Hedge Germander). It was a plant my client had first seen at Highgrove where it had replaced the diseased box hedges. It could be trimmed just after flowering to ensure a neat shape throughout the year, similar to box, but without the tiresome onslaught of pests and diseases. It would also be able to cope with the poor soil and sun drenched location that it would have to deal with.
 |
| Teucrium x lucidrys (Hedge Germander) |
Despite the compaction the area was well broken up - with a pick axe! The teucrium, very much like the Mediterranean herbs, will thrive if grown tough and hard so no pampering was necessary. The area was planted up in early autumn from cuttings my client had taken in the previous year; therefore, allowing them plenty of time to get their roots established before the onset of winter.
 |
| The newly planted area |
In time, I would hope to have a solid block (raised about 6 inches from the slabs) and for that level to be maintained throughout the area. Early signs are promising with further planting considered along the whole of the lawn's boundary with the patio.
Encouraging the plants at the bottom to eventually reach the height of those at the summit may take a couple of years but I'm hedging my bet on a successful and creative outcome...and no box in sight!
 |
| Teucrium x lucidrys beginning to knit together |
