There are enough articles on this site about how to plant a box hedge, the title is a bit of a fraud really – but it is there because it always amazes us how much effort people put into planting trees and shrubs and how little attention the poor things receive afterwards.

All plants benefit from a bit of TLC, but few reward their owner/grower/carer as much as box hedging plants.

We are getting a few enquiries about box blight from customers (and non-customers) who are worried that their box hedging might have contracted the dread disease.

When we are sent samples only about a quarter prove to be suffering from box blight which probably means that it is not as serious as people think – more “scare” than “there”. Where it is box blight, almost invariably the gardener concerned followed the old saw about never clipping your box hedge before Derby Day.

This may sound silly, but it is amazing how well it works.

If you have a good number of hawthorn hedge plants to get in the ground, why not have a hawthorn hedge planting party. Obviously you can get everyone to help lay weed proof fabric and tuck the edges in, but the planting bit can be made real fun.

Photinia Red Robin makes a really photogenic hedge plant, with blazing red young leaves that can be persuaded to reappear all summer with regular trimming and simple but lovely white flowers.

However, just as the most handsome face can be marred by acne, the prettiest Photinia bush can can be disfigured by an unpleasant looking dose of Leaf Spot. It really is an ugly thing to happen to such great foliage and if it comes your way, you may be quite alarmed.

Tags: Leaf Spot, Photinia Red Robin