Don’s Expert Answers: box hedging plants

Question From:
Pauline in Lemon Tree Passage, Lemon Tree Passage New South Wales

Nature of problem:
box hedging plants

Type of Plant (if known):
box hedging plants

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
nil

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
sandy/loam

How often do you water the plant:
winter once week, summer daily

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
6-8

How long since you planted it:
10 years

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
no

Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors

Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground

What other treatments have you given the plant:
regular trimming sides and top trimmed to fence height

Upload photo if available:

Other Comments:
Hi Don, first of all thank you for the quick response to getting out the miniature mulberry tree out at the front of the house and at 66 yrs old I’m sure I can dig it out!!.

One last question, at the back garden there is a row of fence height box plants..We have a SMALL narrow back yard and find the box hedging dominates along the side the neighbouring fence line. There are approximately 8 of the boxed hedge plants with a thickness of about a metre width.. Can I dig these box plants out easily? If I can, we will need one screening plant to block out the neighbours window which looks into our back yard. what plant do you suggest. Height about 4 -6 metres preferable with softness and with flowers. Back is SW facing. Thanks Don

Answer:
Hi Pauline, You can safely move the box plants between now and mid September. This will be a fairly big job – maybe get some young person to help you. Water them in very well. A sasanqua camellia might be a good privacy plant. ‘Star Above Star’ is a good variety ith palest pink flowers. Get a well advanced one to save time – it is well worth spending the extra money. Don