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How to manage Box Blight

How to manage Box Blight

Posted on August 28, 2021April 20, 2023Author James TodmanPosted in AdviceLeave a Reply

The fungal disease box blight attacks Box (Buxus) and can result in twiggy patches and dieback. Box blight was first recognised in the mid 1990’s and has now become a real problem in many gardens all over the UK, especially with warm and damp weather. What is Box Blight? Box blight is a fungal disease that…

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Five Ways to Beat the Box Tree Caterpillar

Five Ways to Beat the Box Tree Caterpillar

Posted on May 11, 2019April 20, 2023Author James TodmanPosted in Advice70 Replies

You will know if you have box tree caterpillar in your garden because of the damage it can cause. Buxus can be stripped of their leaves in a very short period of time. If left untreated, then the box tree caterpillars will eventually kill the plants. But there is a good chance the Buxus will…

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Red Ants Damaging Box Hedging

Red Ants Damaging Box Hedging

Posted on January 23, 2023January 23, 2023Author James TodmanPosted in Advice2 Replies

I have another pest to add to the growing list of threats to a Buxus plant’s health and well-being. This one is the red ant (Myrmica rubra). There’s been a lot of head scratching at a place where I work to discover the reason why leaves of a single box plant were starting to yellow…

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Supporting Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ with Box Hedging

Supporting Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ with Box Hedging

Posted on September 3, 2021May 15, 2022Author James TodmanPosted in My WorkLeave a Reply

Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ is a beautiful shrub. Large white balls of flowers on long stems from the end of July and into August. But this variety of hydrangea has a reputation for flopping due to the size of the flower heads. Wire supports help but they don’t look great. A natural support is box hedging. I…

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My Top Three Topiary Shears

My Top Three Topiary Shears

Posted on November 26, 2020May 30, 2022Author James TodmanPosted in Advice3 Replies

Over the years I have developed quite a collection of topiary shears. They all have their own different characteristics, and that’s not just the price. Some work better on thicker stemmed shrubs, others are more suitable for a faster clipping action – a lot depends on their weight, balance and type of steel used to…

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Improve Yew Hedges by Removing Vertical Stems

Improve Yew Hedges by Removing Vertical Stems

Posted on November 9, 2019October 7, 2022Author James TodmanPosted in AdviceLeave a Reply

If a yew has been left untrimmed, or has been badly clipped in the past, then thick, long stems can start to grow up on the outside of the hedge. These will thicken over time, causing the hedge to bulge and sag. Improve Yew Hedges Appearance A yew should have short green, lateral growth on…

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James Todman

James Todman

I’m a topiary specialist based in Worcestershire, UK. I also work as a freelance writer, contributing articles about topiary and hedging to trade and horticulture publications.

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Popular Posts

  • Five Ways to Beat the Box Tree Caterpillar
    Five Ways to Beat the Box Tree Caterpillar
  • How to manage Box Blight
    How to manage Box Blight
  • My Top Three Topiary Shears
    My Top Three Topiary Shears
  • Supporting Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ with Box Hedging
    Supporting Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ with Box Hedging
  • Mussel Scale on Box
    Mussel Scale on Box
  • Red Ants Damaging Box Hedging
    Red Ants Damaging Box Hedging
  • Mysterious Brown Circles Appearing on Box Hedging
    Mysterious Brown Circles Appearing on Box Hedging

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