At The Hampstead Gardener, more than half of the gardens we service have box hedging or topiary somewhere in the garden and many of them have been devastated by the dreaded asian box moth caterpillar this year. Where infected, the box has been stripped and turned brown, sometimes in just a matter of a day or two.
Box caterpillar has infected almost all of the gardens we serve in Belsize Park, Hampstead, Notting Hill, Maida Vale and St John’s Wood, and we’re starting to see it show up in gardens in Highgate and Muswell Hill now as well.
Our gardens aren’t alone. The RHS has said that box moth caterpillar has become “Britain’s Biggest Garden Pest” in 2019. Where the moths can’t be controlled and box has been infested with caterpillars, the RHS unfortunately concludes that there is nothing practical that can be done to save the box and therefore they recommend digging up and replacing with a different species of hedge or topiary.
There are a number of different replacement options available to consider. Since we have so many clients needing box replacement, we have found a number of different plant nurseries that can supply us with a range of plants that are similar in look, growth and maintenance that can be used as a replacement for different kinds and sizing of box hedging and topiary. We are happy to advise our clients on the difference between different options and help select and plant appropriate replacement plants.
For areas in Highgate, Muswell Hill and further afield where the moth population hasn’t gotten out of control (for now), we can install moth traps and perform regular spray and maintenance to help keep the caterpillars at bay for as long as possible.
Contact us if you need help digging out and replacing your infected box plants or if you need help with treatment or any other help with your hedging, topiary or garden in general.