Box problems
Shaun Smith
May 16
1 min read
There are many box hedges at the Hall, ranging from small step-over parterres to large fifteen-foot hedges, all at the mercy of the dreaded caterpillar. This year has been particularly difficult; the winter was wet rather than cold, so more adult moths survived. With new shoots emerging quickly, the caterpillars were able to hide underneath. I spotted them early, trimmed the hedges back, and sprayed again with Bug Clear Ultra 2. Hopefully it will work.
We first came across box moth about ten years ago in France where it attacked all kinds of box from scrubland to garden topiary. Larger established bushes seemed to come back from the apparent dead after a couple of years, but the moth is still around and a cycle of attack and regrowth seems to be the new norm.
Our variegated box was hit badly last summer so we took it out. This spring our box hedge was badly affected and we decided to remove it - we tried nematodes last September and again in April but with no visible success. It's going to be a battle for those wishing to keep box in their gardens. Good luck to those…