Ilex crenata
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
- Height × spread
- 0.6m – 4m × 0.3m – 4m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A Japanese holly with small prickly leaves. It makes an excellent alternative to Box for neatly clipped hedging and topiary. The foliage is typically dark green, some are gold or variegated. The female plant produces black, white or yellow berries in autumn, with a male plant nearby to fertilise. Some varieties can grow to 4m tall.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column, Cone, Dome
- Height
- 0.6m – 4m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Shady court, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Hedge, Topiary, Ground cover, Screening, Structural, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
More Ilex
Ilex
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata'
Silver-margined holly, Broad leaved silver holly
Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Argentea'
Silver hedging holly, Hedgehog holly
Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. Van Tol'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex crenata 'Convexed Gold'
Japanese holly, Box leaved holly
Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem'
Golden box leaved holly, Japanese holly, Box leaved holly