Euonymus is the neat one: a dense, glossy, evergreen hedging plant that clips into crisp formal shapes, which is why it has become the go-to replacement for box. If box blight or box tree caterpillar has wrecked a hedge — or put you off planting one — Euonymus gives you the same tidy, structured look with none of those problems, in plain deep green or bright variegated forms that hold their colour all year.
It’s tougher than it looks, too. Euonymus japonicus handles coastal winds, salt spray and urban pollution comfortably, grows in sun or partial shade, and its steady 20–40cm a year of growth means a hedge that keeps its shape with minimal trimming — one or two light clips a season for a formal finish.
Every plant below was grown on at our nursery in Whitestake, hardened off outdoors in North West weather. Pot grown stock can be planted at any time of year — use the calculator below to work out how many you need for your run.
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PLANTING DISTANCE
For low formal hedges and edging, plant Euonymus at 4 per metre so it knits into a continuous line quickly. For taller hedges using larger plants, 3 per metre is right. Use the calculator below and we'll work out the exact number and cost for your run.
WHY BUY EUONYMUS FROM NEWGATE?
We've watched box blight take out hedges all over Lancashire, and Euonymus is what we plant instead — so we grow it, clip it and stand behind it. If you're replacing a box hedge, bring us a photo (or a leaf, if you're local) and we'll recommend the right variety and size to match what you lost. Order online for UK-wide delivery quoted at checkout, or click and collect seven days a week. Call 01772 612336.
It's the best one. Euonymus gives the same dense, small-leaved, clippable structure as box, but it isn't affected by box blight or box tree caterpillar — the two problems destroying box hedges across the UK. It's the plant we recommend for replacing a lost box hedge like-for-like.
A steady 20–40cm a year depending on variety and conditions. That's slower than laurel — deliberately so: it means a formal hedge that holds its clipped shape with only one or two light trims a season.
4 plants per metre for low formal hedges and edging, or 3 per metre for taller hedges using larger plants. Our hedge calculator works out the exact number for your run.
Yes — the japonicus and fortunei varieties we grow for hedging hold their foliage year-round, including the variegated forms, which keep their gold or silver colour through winter.
Like many garden plants, Euonymus is toxic if eaten, so avoid it if your dog is a determined chewer of plants. Most dogs ignore it completely, but if yours grazes on greenery, ask us about alternatives — and speak to your vet if any plant has been eaten.
That's euonymus scale — small white insects that cluster on stems and leaf undersides, the one pest this plant does attract. Light infestations can be wiped or pruned off; heavier ones respond to a plant-safe insecticide applied in early summer when the young scale are moving. Keeping the hedge fed and open to airflow helps prevent it. If you're local, bring a cutting in and we'll confirm it at the counter.
