Which bushes to replace boxwood?

Alternatives to Boxwood North of the Loire (hardiness beyond -10°C)

Crenate hollies or Japanese hollies

Spindle bushes (Euonymus fortunei, E. japonicus)

Shrubby honeysuckles (Lonicera nitida, pileata)

Burkwood osmanthus

Ilex crenata are excellent candidates to replace boxwood. Indeed, the resemblance is striking with their similar evergreen foliage. They thrive in sun, partial shade or full shade depending on the variety. As for soil, they require humus-bearing, fresh and light earth. However, they dislike excessive lime content. An important detail to note: unlike their cousins, they are thornless! Very hardy and slow-growing, they tolerate pruning extremely well: one annual pruning in early spring suffices. Depending on the variety, they can be shaped into low hedges, topiaries, cloud-pruned trees (Niwaki) and even bonsai. Note that the ‘Green Hedge’ variety is a perfect alternative for low hedges – simply plant them 40 to 60 cm apart. They can also be grown in containers on terraces.

Our favourite varieties:

Ilex crenata Golden Gem - Japanese Holly

This small Japanese holly offers foliage that transitions from green to golden depending on the season.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 90 cm

See the product sheet

Ilex crenata Blondie - Japanese Holly

This compact bush features pale yellow to light green foliage that changes with the seasons.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Crenate Holly - Ilex crenata Convexa

This green-leaved variety is particularly well-suited to cloud pruning (Niwaki). It prefers partial shade or full shade.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Certain spindle bushes can brilliantly replace boxwood. Euonymus fortunei and japonicus are particularly well-suited, and if you love variegated foliage, this alternative is perfect for you! Euonymus fortunei, hardy down to -15°C, thrive in all soil types including lime-rich soils, provided they’re fresh and well-drained. Plant them in sun or partial shade. Their rapid growth also makes them excellent ground cover. Euonymus japonicus, slightly less hardy (-12°C) but taller, prefer less lime-rich soil and sunny positions sheltered from cold winds. Evergreen, they tolerate repeated pruning well and form dense bushes suitable for topiary or low hedges. Two annual prunings (spring and autumn) maintain a compact habit. For low hedges, space bushes 60 cm apart.

Our favourite varieties:

Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety - Spindle

This particularly elegant variety features small green leaves variegated with white edges that take on pink hues in cold weather.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Euonymus fortunei Emerald n gold - Spindle

This variety offers attractive, compact foliage with green leaves edged in golden yellow.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Euonymus japonicus Microphyllus - Japanese Spindle

This easy-to-grow variety has slightly dentate dark green leaves.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Shrubby honeysuckles are perfect for creating beautiful, compact, evergreen low hedges in shady areas. They’re very easy to grow and fully hardy in well-drained soil in all exposures. They may suffer damage in severe winters but recover well. They spread more than they grow tall. Varieties with decorative foliage are valuable for brightening dull garden areas. Fast-growing, they require regular but easy pruning: at least once in April-May and again in September-October. Suitable for low hedges or topiary, they’re particularly good for plant sculptures. They also grow well in containers on terraces. Space plants 50 cm apart for low hedges.

Our favourite varieties:

Lonicera nitida Elegant - Box Honeysuckle

This bush with green foliage becomes very dense with repeated pruning. It's an excellent boxwood alternative.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Lonicera nitida Baggesens Gold - Box Honeysuckle

This variety has small golden leaves and is perfect for brightening shady areas.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Lonicera pileata - Box Honeysuckle

The cup-leaf honeysuckle offers glossy green foliage and tolerates severe pruning well. It's undemanding, thriving even in poor soil.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 70 cm

See the product sheet

Slow-growing Osmanthus burkwoodii has holly-like foliage and a compact habit. It requires fresh, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Prune in late winter or after flowering to enjoy its spring display of highly fragrant white flowers. Avoid pruning in the first few years as this may hinder growth. Very hardy, it can be used for hedges or topiary. Container cultivation is possible – choose a deep pot (minimum 40 cm depth). Space plants 80 cm to 1 m apart for hedging.

Osmanthus burkwoodii

This hardy bush's attractive, slightly dentate glossy foliage provides year-round interest. Its long spring flowering period is wonderfully fragrant.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 3 m

See the product sheet

Alternatives to Boxwood South of the Loire (hardiness down to -10°C)

• African Box (Myrsine africana)

Myrsine africana is also an excellent candidate to replace box in Mediterranean regions. Indeed, it’s best suited to warm, dry climates. It can withstand long periods of drought but only short spells of frost (-10/-12°C). It thrives equally well in sun or shade and isn’t at all bothered by limestone soils. This evergreen bush has small, glossy, ovate green leaves, with younger leaves appearing lighter in spring. Be aware that it may take some time to establish. With slightly faster growth than box, it also responds very well to pruning, making it ideal for hedges, topiary or container cultivation. Plant bushes 40cm apart and prune two to three times a year: in March, June and September to form a low hedge.

African box or Myrsine africana makes an excellent box substitute in Mediterranean regions.

• Yunnan Privet (Ligustrum jonandrum)

Ligustrum delavayanum var. ionandrum is a small-leaved evergreen bush with glossy green foliage that withstands frequent pruning perfectly for topiary shaping. It will adapt to all your creative desires. While tolerant of various soil types, it prefers fresh, well-drained ground in sunny or partially shaded positions sheltered from cold winds. This slow-growing bush has moderate hardiness (-10°C). It’s often found grafted onto stems and pruned into ball shapes. Prune in April and September to maintain crisp shapes.

Ligustrum jonandrum - Yunnan Privet

This compact bush with small, evergreen green leaves is ideal for topiary art.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1,80 m

See the product sheet

• Common Myrtles (Myrtus communis)

Very easy to grow, myrtles are best suited to mild climates where winter temperatures don’t drop below -10°C. They feature tough green foliage. Pruning doesn’t affect flowering, and they become covered in myriad fragrant white flowers in midsummer, followed by small fruits. Undemanding, they grow slowly in well-drained soil (even dry), from acid to slightly alkaline, in all exposures. They’re perfect for informal or formal hedges or topiary. Prune in March to shape as desired. Space bushes 60cm apart for hedging. Myrtles also thrive in containers.

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina

The Taranto myrtle has a naturally dense, compact habit. Its beautiful evergreen leaves are aromatic, and it flowers generously throughout summer.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,70 m

See the product sheet

• Shrubby Veronicas (Hebe pinguifolia)

Hebe pinguifolia, particularly the ‘Pagei’ variety, forms a low, spreading bush with thick blue-grey leaves, producing masses of white flowers in July and August. With moderate hardiness (-10°C), it can be grown north of the Loire in very sheltered spots. This variety prefers fresh, well-drained soil in full sun. Whether planted in borders or large patio containers, it quickly forms an attractive rounded bush. This shrubby veronica is ideal for topiary – prune in March to maintain good shape.

Beautiful rounded form of Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’.

• Osmanthus delavayi

This osmanthus is an evergreen bush that, when left unpruned, becomes covered in fragrant white jasmine-scented spring flowers followed by small blue-black berries. With moderate hardiness (-10°C), it’s best grown in temperate regions. It thrives in fresh, fertile, well-drained soil (even alkaline) in sunny or partially shaded positions sheltered from wind and severe frost. This fast-growing bush is excellent for low hedges. Space bushes 80cm to 1m apart. It can be trained as topiary – prune in late winter or just after spring flowering to enjoy its delightful fragrance. Avoid pruning for the first few years as this may hinder growth.

Osmanthus delavayi

This osmanthus features evergreen foliage and the most charming fragrant spring flowers.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 3,50 m

See the product sheet

Summary table

To go further

• Watch Olivier’s video on boxwood alternatives