WELCOME TO SIGNAL BOX PLANTS & GARDENS

June Update

The website's main picture shows a row of healthy, vibrant Buxus sempervirens. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find an example that does not bear the scars of an encounter with the dreaded Box Tree Caterpillar. Most of our customers have at least one of these shrubs, with some possessing extensive collections of formal hedging and topiary.

The moth (Cydalima perspectalis) arrived on these shores less than twenty years ago, but it has only become a serious problem in the last few years. This summer, in particular, has seen widespread devastation where plants have been left to fend for themselves.

After discussion with our customers, we took the view that these plants are worth defending because of their many merits. Box forms the foundation of a particular formal style of gardening in which symmetry, structure and precision are paramount. Whilst current horticultural trends are moving in the opposite direction, there should always be a place for a style that creates a peaceful, ordered and enduring aesthetic.

My experience of battling these blighters has taught me a few things. Firstly, if you are going to spray, you must start early—March is ideal. Secondly, you must be consistent, treating every two weeks throughout the growing season and continuing into early Autumn. It is equally important to keep the plants well fed and to maintain good housekeeping, particularly after clipping. If you follow this routine, there is every chance that your specimens will live to fight another season and, in my view, they are well worth the time and effort.

Another observation is that Box is remarkably resilient, up to a point. If you remain vigilant and catch an infestation early, recovery can begin surprisingly quickly. In the longer term, it may prove to be a losing battle, but nature has a habit of restoring balance. Natural predators may emerge and the plants themselves may gradually become less appealing to their uninvited guests.

In the meantime, we have no intention of abandoning this valued species as we remain unconvinced that the currently promoted alternatives can truly replace Box.  Instead, we intend to begin our own program of propagation, enabling us to continue defending one of the finest and most useful garden plants available.