Are English Box hedge plants suitable in tropical climates?
I’m in inland NSW and you may find english box may not like the humidity. Tropical climates usually use Japanese box if they want a buxus hedge (buxus microphylla). Americans call buxus boxwoods. They all take the heat here up to 40 deg C, but the humidity will be the problem. It takes 6 years for a buxus hedge to grow into a nice hedge if watered, and fertilized correctly. Spacing is important in hot climates. Too close and they have too much competition to do well. Usually 1/2 to 1/3 of the complete width of a shrub is the correct spacing. Hedges in tropical areas are usually made from Duranta or lillypillies, but you could trial some japanese box and see. As you will need many plants to make a hedge it may be worth speaking to your local nursery and asking what they could suggest some different plants and do a bit of research. Also check out ABC gardening plant selector at their site. You put in the conditions and it throws up some suitable plants. You should be able to find somethi
