FOUR ALTERNATIVES TO BOX

Euonymus japonicus

This can be clipped into a neat hedge – choose ‘Jean Hugues’ if you’re after a lowgrowing hedge.

Lonicera nitida

Also known as evergreen honeysuckle, this is good for a medium-height hedge and tolerates close clipping.

Taxus baccata

English yew forms a dense, evergreen conifer hedge and can be maintained at anywhere from 1m to 5m.

Photinia ‘Red Robin’

For a more informal hedge with a splash of colour, this responds well to pruning and can be easily kept at 1.2m.