Box Hedge

Hi all long time since I been on here (due to health).... But I am back .... Question for all you experts.. Can I use any hedging for a box hedge???? I aim to grow this around my tortoise area and let it grow to about 2' high... All ideas would be grateful.. I even thought of using an evergreen honeysuckle... Trying to keep the price down as only get a pension lol.....

But just to let you all know The coconuts I have been trying to grow from the actual coconut have hairline roots ........ You can learn all about that the same as I did on
you tube.. Thanks all John

 

tortoise area ?

Are you going to be making a maze for your tortoise(s)

 

Buxus sempervirens or yew are the most common plants to use, yew can can rather large though. I am a fan of Buxus, takes very easily from cuttings and can grow quite quick over a couple of years if kept well fed and watered. Prices will vary, you can buy very young plants for about £1 each or less in some cases. Trick is to shop around.

What about a Lavender hedge? Or... if you like Gin, what about Blackthorn, then you get the Sloes too.

 

I thought that Buxus was very slow growing. I know that the prices are near the same as honeysuckle box, but the honeysuckle is faster growing. Still wondering what type but lavender can be dangerous to tortoise.. Thanks I'll keep shopping maybe see something

 

I have a tortoise area of around 20' squre witch is fenced around with chicken wire would like to make it look nicer... But a maze mmm might be an idea as well, keep em gussing where there food is, next. Lol

 

Now I see an experiment here. 'Tortoises and pattern learning' pick 5 locations in the maze for the food. Everyday move the food to a new location. After the 5th day, start from the first location again .. lol

 

Hi Jono, as you only want a 2 foot hedge, maybe you should go for true box. Buxus sempervirens, (comes in lots of different varieties depending on what you are after but Sufruticosa would do it) The Lonicera nitida grows so bloomin' quickly once established that you would have long wispy new growth most of the time. With a box hedge, a clip in June and then maybe again late August/early September...before risk of frost to damage new growth and you would always have a nice attractive hedge. Don't go for yew incase the tortoises nibbled it. It's definately not a livestock friendly hedge - very poisonous! As ncf crazy above points out, Box roots easily and so if you begged some clippings from someone this summer, you could root and pot on and plant out next year.
As you have got the chicken wire in place, one option might be to make a nice framework out of rustic branches? Maybe then adding a few plants that look mediteranean to make the tortoises feel at home!!

 

In my experience it is, very slow growing, if you really wanted buxus which does make a great hedge you would be better off buying larger plants but they would be very expensive.
What a lovely big tortoise area you have. I will put my thinking cap on for plants.

 

Slow growing should be ok as tortoises as slow anyways