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Both problems can be kept under control by keeping a very close eye on your plants, by taking preventive measures and acting as soon as you see signs of attack. But in the case of box caterpillar especially, it can involve spraying with a biological control, Bacillus thuringiensis, <\/em>several times a year (the caterpillars are active from March to October), which quickly becomes tiresome if you have a lot of box in your garden. And if an outbreak happens to coincide with your summer<\/a> holiday, it may be too late to save your plants when you get back.<\/p>\n
Most garden designers now choose not to add box plants to new planting schemes, and while garden centres still sell box to the unsuspecting public, many gardeners would now avoid planting it. But what to plant as an alternative? Tolerant of close clipping, suited to both sunny spots<\/a> and shade<\/a>, and evergreen, box is hard to beat.<\/p>\n
Until now, Ilex crenata<\/em> (Japanese holly) was hailed by many as the best alternative. Slow growing and compact, it is particularly suited to shaping and cloud pruning. However, Matthew Pottage, who is overseeing a trial of clippable, small-leaved evergreen shrubs<\/a> to box at RHS Garden Wisley, says: \u2018Ilex crenata<\/em> seemed to be the solution to everyone\u2019s prayers. But in the Wisley climate (hot and dry in the summer, on sandy soil), it appeared to die slowly, going uncontrollably yellow across its foliage.\u201d<\/p>\n
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