To plant or not to plant, this is my question

Jenny_Aster

My very kind sister-in-law has been propagating some plants for our new garden, she came baring gifts of a holly, dwarf buddleia, a few herbs, and a dozen or so dwarf box plants. 

I'm not sure I want to plant the box plants, they appear too formal for my style of garden, plus I've heard some negative comments about disease etc.

Wonder how other people relay 'thanks, but no thanks' regarding unwanted plants? 

Fairygirl

You don't have to plant them though 
If it's hard to say 'not for me, sorry' and you don't have to see them very often you can always just say they died 
I often give my sister bits and pieces, but I wouldn't be offended if she said she didn't want something because she didn't like it, and vice versa. We would always ask each other first though - and send a pic or similar. 
She has a friend who lives in an exposed area to the north west of me, and she's always grateful for anything that might survive on a bank she has, so I often do cuttings with her in mind. My nephew in England is also grateful for anything, as he has a fairly big, and empty garden, and I take stuff to my sis for him to collect when he visits.
It wouldn't bother me at all if they binned them though. 

Plantminded

Hmm, that's a bit sensitive if they have been propagated for you by a close family member who you are are likely to see often.  I'd probably group some of the box in pots and start to shape them as they grow. Having them in pots on a patio or near a door can be cheering in winter.  Also, if there is any sign of disease you can dispose of them quickly (that's your best get-out clause!).

AnniD

I get offered plants from neighbours from time to time, usually l accept them, check them over and pass on to a local charity shop. On the rare occasions that l don't want them, l just smile politely and say "That's very kind but l'm afraid l just don't have the room at the moment".  They've never been offended (or they're very good actors), and it hasn't stopped them offering again. 

Personally l would just accept them, and then decide what you want to keep. As @Fairygirl says, it could depend on how often you see her, but also if she's a keen gardener she will understand that there are some plants that you just don't like/want for whatever reason. 

As for the box plants, l would definitely decline or dispose of. I speak as someone who has suffered from the dreaded box tree caterpillars/moths last year 😢. 

raisingirl

You don't HAVE to clip box. It'll grow into a perfectly good evergreen shrub if left to it's own devices. 

Jenny_Aster

Thank you, you've helped me solve my dilemma. I'm going to buy two pretty identical pots and plant five in each, placing them with pride of place either side of the front door. It'll be interesting to what shape they'll end up

Looking at images in Google search helps oil the imagination. EG

thevictorian

Completely agree with raisingirl, you don't have to have neatly clipped box and by not clipping them you reduce the chance of attracting the beautiful, if naughty, moth. 

Fairygirl

That's interesting @thevictorian. What's the reasoning behind the moth reduction if it's not clipped?
We don't have the moth here, so it's something I have no experience of at all. 

Plantminded

Good decision @Jenny_Aster !  I have had two clipped boxes in pots for over 20 years, they've travelled back and forward to London, suffered high winds next to the coast and are now enjoying a sunny sheltered position on my patio.  Keep them well watered for the first year, moist, not wet, and give them an occasional foliage feed with diluted seaweed extract. I have found that this reverses any browning, but try to get it into the centre of the plant too.  Another tip is to turn them every so often to improve air circulation if they are in a doorway, and of course to get any sun (they are happy without it).  I have also grown box unclipped, and, as others say, it is a lovely plant, just a shame about the moths!

Jenny_Aster

Plantminded said:

Good decision @Jenny_Aster !  I have had two clipped boxes in pots for over 20 years, they've travelled back and forward to London, suffered high winds next to the coast and are now enjoying a sunny sheltered position on my patio.  Keep them well watered for the first year, moist, not wet, and give them an occasional foliage feed with diluted seaweed extract. I have found that this reverses any browning, but try to get it into the centre of the plant too.  Another tip is to turn them every so often to improve air circulation if they are in a doorway, and of course to get any sun (they are happy without it).  I have also grown box unclipped, and, as others say, it is a lovely plant, just a shame about the moths!

Great advice...... thank you

Lizzie27

@Jenny_Aster, Box does look lovely in pots but I doubt you would need five in each pot. they are very greedy plants.