Pyracomeles ‘Juke Box’
Boxwood has been getting negative publicity lately and many gardeners are seeking alternatives. Boxwood blight has decimated plants throughout Britain since it was first detected in the early 1990s. It was first reported in the United States in 2011 and by 2018 it had spread throughout the United States. It has also been reported in Asia and New Zealand. The condition is caused by a fungus, Calonectria pseudonaviculata.
There are several substitutes for boxwood, notably several holly varieties like the Japanese and Inkberry hollies. There is a new kid on the block – Pyracomeles – which is a cross between Pyracantha and Osteomeles (a genus of plants in the rose family). Pyracomeles ‘Juke Box’ has glossy evergreen foliage and a compact mounded shape, averaging 2 – 3 feet. It is cold hardy to zone 7. It will be best situated in a sheltered location and protected from cold winter winds. This plant can be grown naturally or it can be sheared (like boxwood).
