They say first impressions matter, and when it comes to your home, the front door is the gateway to making a positive statement on visitors. That’s why it’s crucial to make a show-stopping entrance with stylish shrubs and plants. When it comes to curb appeal, adding the right plants, creating flow and adding colour is just the start as you try to refresh your entrance.
Many people like the look of evergreen plants at their front door to make a year-round statement, and box plants (which can also be referred to by their Latin name, Buxus) are a classic option. Read more: Expert tips on how to start a 'bird café' to keep your kids busy in the garden this summer Read more: Gardener removes and prevents gravel weeds by using recommended washing powder They can be groomed into a ball, a spiral or a cone and it gives an elegant and timeless feel. However, Buxus is prone to box blight which has become a problem here over the last few years.
Box blight is a fungal disease that affects box plants and it first appeared in the UK in 1998. It’s spread by rain splatter so we are at an increased risk this year with all the rain we’ve been having. It’s also prone to box moss caterpillars, which will strip all of its leaves within a couple of days.
Tell-tale signs of box blight are the yellowing and browning of leaves, which then fall, leaving bare patches. There is a brand called TopBuxus which has a feed and a caterpillar treatment that work wonders on box plants, or you can us.
