Boxwood Alternatives
- Dom Rae
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
Boxwood Alternatives
Garden Clippings for June 7, 2025
The Boxwood battle has begun. Here in Sarnia-Lambton we’ve dodged the bullet for a few years, but it is now confirmed that Boxwood is in decline. The main culprit is Box Tree Moth, a pest that makes quick work out of once healthy Boxwood plants.
Boxwoods are a staple in home landscapes. For years Boxwoods have been the number one choice for a broadleaf evergreen plant that is hardy, grows in shade or sun, and is easy to maintain. Boxwoods are often grown as a tidy hedge, enhancing the pathway to the front door.
Gardener who want to keep their Boxwoods in good health can spray with BTK (Bacillusthuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki), a biological control measure. Inspect your plants often and spray when you see the larvae or caterpillars. It won’t be helpful to spray the adult stage. Since there are 2 or 3 generations per year, I recommend looking for the larvae every two weeks. You will likely need to spray 3 times during the growing season.
Supplement your insect control with fertilizer to improve Boxwood’s vigor. A Dutch company, Top Boxus, has formulated an easy-to-follow recovery program containing both fertilizer and biological control.
Those looking to replace Boxwood with a plant with similar growth habit should consider one of the many varieties of Yews (Taxus). Yews are tough as nails, grow in sun or shade, and are easy to prune. Hick’s and Hill’s Yew make a fine hedge with upright growth. Dense and Fairview Yew are shorter, with a spread equal to their height. Both can be pruned to make a tidy hedge. Dwarf Yew is slow-growing and will require little attention. Emerald Spreading Yew is low-growing and makes a wonderful ground cover.
If Yews have a drawback, it would be that they do not enjoy wet soil. And unless you start with small plants, Yews will set you back a pretty penny.
Nest Spruce is a sun-loving dwarf evergreen that will remain tidy for many years. Next Spruce is a good choice for a low evergreen to be planted under low windows. Mugho Pine is similar and will want to be pruned to maintain a small size.
For a neat evergreen hedge, consider Globe Cedar, a sun loving plant that grows naturally in a slightly upright globe. ‘Little Giant’ is a popular choice with small size and lush green colour.
Gardeners who may be okay with switching up their Boxwood for a deciduous shrub should consider any of the following dwarf shrubs: Deutzia, Spirea, Weigela, Potentilla or Hydrangea.

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