German gardeners seek alternatives to Thuja and boxwood

Gardeners in Germany are facing shifts in landscape choices due to ecological concerns and pests. In Brandenburg, the Landesverband Brandenburg der Gartenfreunde e. V. has listed Thuja hedges as non-permissible plants in its framework garden regulations since May 2023. Critics, including the nature conservation organization Nabu, argue that Thuja provides little ecological value, offering minimal food or habitat for birds and insects. Additionally, the plants can acidify soil and pose fire risks due to their resinous needles.

While Thuja restrictions are currently localized to certain allotment gardens, private gardens are not subject to a nationwide ban under the Federal Nature Conservation Act.

Concurrently, gardeners are seeking alternatives to the traditional boxwood (Buchsbaum), which has been heavily impacted by the box tree moth and fungal diseases. Recommended replacements for evergreen hedges include Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), which offers a similar appearance and can be pruned into shapes, and Yew (Taxus), which is noted for its robustness and ability to tolerate both sun and shade.