[GardenShed]

Hi has anyone bothered with box hedging as a way of defining beds on your plot, for herbs / flowers?

[Yorkie]

I've never seen it done on a plot.  It would take up valuable space, and provide competition for nutrients / water / light.

[ptarmigan]

Hi. It looks lovely but have a google. I remember reading an article by nigel slater saying he wished he hadn't used box. Snails used it as a base to sneak out and raid veg. Also box as a plant needs some care see box blight. I think it might take valuable time away from looking after veg.

[snow white]

A temporary and useful mini hedge is marigolds.  Defines the edge, looks pretty, attracts good predators and self seeds.

[Ma Lowe]

I have always fancied the box hedge as border around my beds but for the reasons already given I refrained from doing it . I do intend to border as much as I can with flowers like marigolds nasturtiums and tagets  and also some herbs such as basil & Rosemary, lavender  is another one used too.

[Goosegirl]

I have box hedges in my ornamental garden, though the dwarf variety suffruticosa didn't do well at all, so used the standard variety and that's ok - never seen snails there though. Apart from the suggestions mentioned, how about Cotton Lavender? I could suggest Lonicera nitida but it would probably grow too high.