Which bushes to replace boxwood?

Alternatives to Boxwood North of the Loire (hardiness below -10° C)

Crenate Hollies or Japanese Hollies

Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei, E. japonicus)

Bush Honeysuckles (Lonicera nitida, pileata)

Burkwood Osmanthus

Ilex crenata are excellent candidates to replace boxwoods. Indeed, the confusion is easy as their evergreen foliage resembles that of boxwoods. They thrive in full sun, partial shade, or shade depending on the variety. Regarding soil, they require humus-bearing, cool, and light soil. However, they are sensitive to excess lime. One detail that may be important: unlike their cousins, they are not thorny! Hardy and slow-growing, they respond well to pruning: one pruning session per year is sufficient, in early spring. Depending on the varieties, they can be shaped into low hedges, topiary, cloud trees (Niwaki), and even bonsai. Note that the variety ‘Green Hedge’ is a perfect alternative for low hedges, requiring planting 40 to 60 cm apart. They can also be grown in pots on a terrace.

Our favourite varieties:

Ilex crenata Golden Gem - Japanese Holly

This small Japanese holly offers a foliage gradient from green to gold depending on the seasons.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 90 cm

See the product sheet

Ilex crenata Blondie - Japanese Holly

This small bush with a compact habit presents light yellow to pale green foliage, depending on the seasons.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Crenate Holly - Ilex crenata Convexa

This variety with green leaves is particularly well-suited for cloud pruning (Niwaki). It prefers a position in partial shade or full shade.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Some euonymus can brilliantly replace boxwoods. Euonymus fortunei and japonicus are particularly well-suited, and if you love variegated foliage, this alternative is for you! Euonymus fortunei, hardy down to -15°C, will thrive in all types of soil, even calcareous, as long as it is cool and well-drained. They can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Their rapid growth also makes them excellent ground covers. Euonymus japonicus, slightly less hardy (-12°C) but taller, prefers less calcareous soil and a sunny position, sheltered from cold winds. Evergreen, they respond well to repeated pruning and form dense bushes that can be shaped into topiary or low hedges. Two prunings per year are necessary to maintain a compact habit: one in spring and another in autumn. Finally, to form a low hedge, maintain a distance of 60 cm between each bush.

Our favourite varieties:

Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety - Spindle

This variety is one of the most elegant with its small variegated green leaves edged in white. They take on a pink hue in the cold.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Euonymus fortunei Emerald n gold - Spindle

Here is a variety with compact and decorative green foliage edged in golden yellow.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Euonymus japonicus Microphyllus - Japanese Spindle

This easy-to-cultivate variety offers dark green, slightly dentate foliage.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Bush honeysuckles are perfect for forming beautiful, compact, evergreen low hedges in shady areas. They are very easy to grow and quite hardy in well-drained soil and all exposures. They may suffer during harsh winters, but they recover well. They spread more in width than in height. Varieties with decorative foliage are valuable for brightening up dull areas of the garden. Rapid-growing, they require regular but easy pruning: at least one in April-May and another in September-October. They can be used for low hedges or topiary and are particularly well-suited for plant sculptures. Finally, they grow well in pots on a terrace. To form a low hedge, space them 50 cm apart.

Our favourite varieties:

Lonicera nitida Elegant - Box Honeysuckle

This bush, with green foliage, becomes very dense with repeated prunings. It is an excellent alternative to boxwood.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Lonicera nitida Baggesens Gold - Box Honeysuckle

This variety has small golden leaves and is perfect for brightening shaded areas.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Lonicera pileata - Box Honeysuckle

The cup honeysuckle offers glossy green foliage. It also tolerates severe pruning very well. It requires little, even poor soil.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 70 cm

See the product sheet

Slow-growing, Osmanthus burkwoodii has foliage resembling that of holly and a compact habit. It requires cool, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Prune at the end of winter or after flowering to enjoy its blooms. It then adorns itself with small, highly fragrant white flowers in spring. However, refrain from pruning in the first few years, as this could hinder growth. It is very hardy and can be used for hedges or topiary. Pot cultivation is entirely possible; choose a sufficiently deep pot, with 40 cm being the minimum. To form a hedge, plant the bushes spaced 80 cm to 1 m apart.

Osmanthus burkwoodii

The beautiful glossy and slightly dentate foliage of this hardy shrub is decorative all year round. Its long spring flowering is highly fragrant.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 3 m

See the product sheet

Alternatives to Boxwood South of the Loire (hardiness down to -10° C)

• African boxwood (Myrsine africana)

Myrsine africana is also a good candidate to replace boxwood in Mediterranean regions. Indeed, it is better suited for hot and dry climates. It can withstand long periods of drought, but only short periods of frost (-10/-12°C). It grows well in both sun and shade, and the presence of limestone does not bother it at all. Evergreen, it features small, glossy, ovate green leaves. Its young leaves are lighter in spring. Be aware that it may take some time to establish. Growing slightly faster than boxwood, it also tolerates pruning very well and can therefore be used in a hedge, for topiary, or even grown in pots. Maintain a planting distance of 40 cm between each bush and prune two to three times a year: in March, June, and September to form a low hedge.

African boxwood or Myrsine africana is a great replacement for boxwood in Mediterranean regions.

• Yunnan privet (Ligustrum jonandrum)

Ligustrum delavayanum var. ionandrum is a bush with small, glossy green leaves that tolerates numerous prunings to be shaped into topiary. It will adapt to all your desires. It is quite accommodating regarding soil type but prefers fresh, well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position, sheltered from cold winds. It has a slow growth rate and moderate hardiness (-10°C). It is often found grafted on a stem and shaped into a ball. Prune in April and September to maintain a neat shape.

Ligustrum jonandrum - Yunnan Privet

This compact bush with small, evergreen leaves is ideal for topiary.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1,80 m

See the product sheet

• Common myrtles (Myrtus communis)

Very easy to grow, myrtles are best reserved for mild climates, where winter temperatures do not drop below -10°C. They have tough, green foliage. Pruning does not compromise flowering, and they are covered with myriads of fragrant white flowers in the height of summer, followed by small fruits. Not demanding, they grow slowly in well-drained, even dry, acidic to slightly calcareous soil and in all exposures. They find their place in free or trimmed hedges or even in topiary. Prune in March to shape them as you wish. Maintain 60 cm between each bush to form a hedge. Myrtles can also be grown in pots.

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina

The Taranto myrtle has a naturally dense and compact habit. Its beautiful evergreen leaves are aromatic, and it blooms generously throughout the summer.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,70 m

See the product sheet

• Bush veronicas (Hebe pinguifolia)

The Hebe pinguifolia and particularly the variety ‘Pagei’ is a compact and spreading form with small, thick grey-blue leaves, revealing a multitude of white flowers in July and August. With moderate hardiness (-10°C), its cultivation is possible north of the Loire in a very sheltered position. This variety appreciates fresh, well-drained soil in full sun. In open ground or in a large pot on a terrace, it quickly forms a beautiful round bush. This bush veronica is reserved for topiary; for this, prune in March to give it a nice shape.

Beautiful ball of Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’.

• Osmanthus delavayi

This osmanthus is a bush with evergreen foliage that, when left free, is covered with a spring flowering of white jasmine-scented flowers before giving way to small blue-black berries. With moderate hardiness (-10°C), its cultivation is reserved for temperate regions. It grows in fresh, fertile, well-drained soil, even calcareous, in sunny or partially shaded positions, sheltered from winds and severe frosts. With a rapid growth rate, this bush is well-suited for forming low hedges. For this, maintain a planting distance of 80 cm to 1 m between each bush. It can be shaped into topiary. Prune in late winter or just after the spring flowering to enjoy its delightful fragrance. However, refrain from pruning in the first few years, as this could hinder growth.

Osmanthus delavayi

This osmanthus has evergreen foliage and a charming spring flowering fragrance.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 3,50 m

See the product sheet

Summary table

To go further

• Watch Olivier’s video on alternatives to boxwood