Boxwood alternative - Bloombux® is easy-care, tolerant to pruning and insensitive to boxwood pests
The boxwood is a popular plant in garden landscaping, but has its weaknesses when it comes to care. For example, the box tree is very susceptible to some diseases and pests, such as the boxwood moth and boxwood leaf abscission. In many cases, fungal infestation, caterpillars and the like cause large-scale shoot dieback, which can ultimately lead to the death of the entire boxwood. Bloombux® is an alternative to the boxwood and is free of many of these risks: In fact, the new creative plant breed is not a boxwood, but a rhododendron. Our Bloombux® combines the positive features of a box tree with the advantages of a rhododendron. We would gladly explain the various advantages and show you why the Bloombux® is the better boxwood alternative.
Boxwood substitute Bloombux® - what can you plant instead of a boxwood?
For many years already, owners of private ornamental gardens, parks and green spaces have been looking for a high-quality substitute for the box tree. So far, there were only very few equivalent alternatives for those who did not want to buy a box tree, but also did not want to do without all the advantages of the plant. The Bloombux®, however, is finally a box tree alternative worthy of the name.
What exactly is the Bloombux®?
The Bloombux®, botanical name Rhododendron micranthum 'Microhirs3', belongs to the family of the dwarf shrubs. Just like the boxwood, the Bloombux® is hardy and can be used as a pot plant or for hedges and ground cover in the garden. If you plant the Bloombux® as an alternative box tree in your garden, you benefit from a low average height of up to 70 centimetres. This allows easy and uncomplicated care of the Bloombux®. The Bloombux® is relatively undemanding in terms of site and soil conditions. Even calcareous soils are no problem for the Bloombux®, but the soil should be loose. Another characteristic feature of the Bloombux® is the abundance of flowers that the boxwood alternative bears in the early summer months. During the high season, you may look forward to large inflorescences of up to eight centimetres in diameter that adorn the Bloombux® and thus also your garden.
The various advantages of the Bloombux® are listed again below:
Flexible in choice of location
Formation of beautiful flowers
Insensitive to typical box tree diseases
Insensitive to typical box tree pests
Relatively undemanding in care
Can easily be trimmed into shape
Info: The flowers of the Bloombux® are not only an eye-catcher but also attract all kinds of useful insects. In particular bumblebees, bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers of the box tree substitute.
The box tree and the pests: The Bloombux® is insensitive to box tree pests
When you buy a box tree, you have to accept that sooner or later you will have to deal with pest infestation or various diseases. The box tree moth, imported from Asian countries, is currently particularly harmful and can cause the plant to die. But other box tree pests and diseases can also become a problem for gardeners. The scope of risks is particularly far-reaching, as pests are difficult and not always completely removable from a box tree. With the Bloombux® as an alternative to the box tree you do not have to fear such negative consequences. Because the Bloombux® is not box tree, it is not infested by the typical pests. The box tree moth, for example, does not attack the Bloombux®, so you as a garden owner do not have to worry about damage to your plants. So before planting a box tree and being annoyed later, you should consider the Bloombux® as an alternative.
Maintain the box tree properly: Ideal conditions for the Bloombux®
Planting a box tree is not difficult: You only have to consider appropriate site and optimal growth conditions. The box tree as well as the Bloombux can be planted throughout the year. Frost-free soil is a prerequisite. You should also adapt the pruning, fertilisation and irrigation to the requirements of the box tree, i.e. the Bloombux®.
The Bloombux® flourishes in loose soil, but unlike a normal rhododendron does not require a particularly acidic environment. The Bloombux, as well as the box tree blend well with other plants. The Bloombux even thrives in semi-shade. Depending on the weather, the Bloombux® should be fertilized in the garden in early April and early July with a low-chloride, mineral complete fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer. Organic fertilisers can also be used. A slow-release fertiliser should be used for a Bloombux in a pots or planters. The Bloombux® is as versatile in terms of topiary as the classic box tree - it does not need to be pruned more than twice a year: Pruning directly after flowering results in a dense growth, a further cut can follow until mid-July. Later pruning would prevent flower buds from forming. This way you can be sure that the Bloombux® as an alternative to the box tree retains its shape all year round and becomes a real eye-catcher in your garden. For a better overview, we list the most important aspects of care again:
Can be planted all year round
Grows in planters and outdoors
Trimmed into shape by mid-July latest
Fertilisation in early spring and beginning of July
Can be combined with other plants
Ideal as a hedge plant
Hint: If you want to use the Bloombux® as a box tree alternative for a hedge border, you should expect three to six plants per meter, depending on the size of the Bloombux®. The Nugget by Bloombux® is particularly suitable for hedges. Latest when the flowers appear in early summer, you know exactly why you have chosen the Bloombux® as a box tree alternative.
Box tree - alternative Buy a Bloombux®
For many hobby gardeners, the price plays a decisive role in the selection of plants. The Bloombux® is a good alternative to the box tree also in terms of cost: If you buy a Bloombux® instead of a box tree, you benefit from the great looks and excellent growth features at a slightly higher price. Your investment pays off after a very short time, because the Bloombux®, just like the box tree can be used on the balcony and terrace in a planter, as well as in the garden as a solitary plant, ground cover or hedge plant and not only functions as an evergreen foliage plant, but also as a flowering shrub. Need more information to decide on a Bloombux®? Then take a closer look under the “Advantages” menu item.