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How to save English box hedge?

The edges of my English box are turning red. I'm in Melbourne where we've had recent rain, but I'll admit I haven't been giving them proper care. Should I be watering them more?

These box plants have completely stopped growing - it's been about a year now. Some branches have dried out and died. Should I prune away the dead wood? What else can I do to save them?

So far I've:
• Applied slow-release fertilizer to the soil surface
• Wondered if I need to:
- Add fresh soil (has the level dropped?)
- Or apply mulch instead

Would really appreciate any advice from fellow gardeners!

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Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @Sia1112,

It looks like your English box is really struggling, and the red edging on the leaves combined with dieback suggests it’s under a fair bit of stress. A good place to start is with your watering routine. How often are you currently watering them? Do you have an irrigation system set up, or are they relying on rainfall alone? Even though you've had some rain in Melbourne recently, if they’ve gone without regular watering for a while, that could easily explain the poor health and lack of new growth.

Try sticking your finger into the soil near the base of the plants — if it feels dry a few centimetres down, they definitely need watering. After watering, check the soil each day and take note of how many days it stays moist. That will give you a sense of how often your box plants actually need water. As a general guide, once a week is the minimum, especially during dry periods, but more frequent watering may be needed if the soil is drying out quickly.

In terms of saving the plants, yes — prune off any dead, brittle branches to encourage healthy regrowth and improve airflow. You’ve done the right thing by applying slow-release fertiliser, and to give them an extra boost, apply a seaweed tonic like Seasol every couple of weeks to support root recovery and overall plant health. If the soil level has dropped significantly, you can top it up with some fresh compost-rich soil, but avoid piling it right up against the stems. A layer of organic mulch (like pine bark or sugarcane) can also help retain moisture and protect the roots, but keep it a few centimetres away from the base of the plants to prevent rot.

With consistent watering, some pruning, and a bit of feeding, there's a good chance your English box will bounce back.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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