I have six boxwoods right by my front porch that need to be moved because they smell like cats. It is a shame because I really like the way they look. Can someone suggest something that looks very similar but does not smell bad. I live in Connecticut.
I've always thought box was one of the nicest summer garden scents (apart from conifers, of course) - are you sure they're not being peed on by one or more cats marking their territories? (in which case, the problem won't go away with different plants)
Ceanothus - California Lilac. I had some four foot high boxwoods that had to be removed when we put an addition on. I tried to save them to replant, but they didn't make it so I planted these evergreen ceanothus instead. Within two years they were as large as the boxwoods were and they take well to pruning in a formal shape. The leaves are a similar shape and they get lovely blue flowers, however, these flowers attract masses of bees, which you might not want right by your front porch!
LOL. I don't think those are going to make it in Connecticut. We use Inkberry Ilex glabra and some of the smaller Blue Hollies to replace Boxwoods.
This would be a good choice. If you are not over run with deer as most of CT is. I have planted a lot of these and found out that they will quite often struggle and do not well for years (slow and shabby death). Now if they struggle I remove them right away and try something else. If they are happy, they are a wonderful, easy plant. Let me know if you need a professional. My brother is a landscape designer with a big firm in Westport.
