Box hedging (Buxus sempervirens)

Our range of bare root Box hedging plants (Buxus sempervirens)

We have Box bare root hedging plants in several sizes and specifications.  Most evergreen hedging plants cannot be grown as bare roots but Box is one of the exceptions (along with Yew, Cherry Laurel and Privet) and buying bare root plants is a great way to get an evergreen hedge but at low cost.  Although they are slow growing, it is surprising how quickly a fairly densely planted box bare root hedge will knit together (allow 2 - 3 years).

You can read more about the specifications we offer on the tab just below the pricing table - to the right of this product description.

Box (Buxus sempervirens) Summary

A very popular choice for low and medium height hedging and edging of borders and still very popular despite box blight and box tree moth.  Its popularity no doubt stems partly from it's classic appearance but also from the fact that it can be grown bare root which makes it very cost effective when compared with box alternatives (virtually all pot grown).  It is slow growing but not painfully so.

In addition to being an ideal plant for a formal hedge, Box also can be planted and left untrimmed to grow to a bushy, evergreen shrub in a woodland setting.

Soil and Situation

It will grow happily in most soils and situations but does have a preference for chalky, limestone soils and is good in shade, prefering partial or full shade to full sun.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

Leaves are very small (about 1cm) which is why it can be clipped so neatly.  New foliage is brighter green and then it matures to a nice mid-green colour.  The flowers and fruit (insect pollinated) are inconspicuous.

Eventual height and growth rate

Box will grown to about 4m but it is generally kept at hedge heights from 40cm to 1.5m.  It is slow growing so it only needs to be trimmed once a year (the recommended date is late May or early June on a dry day and then if it needs to be neatened up again before winter, it can be trimmed again in September (but many will not need this).

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)