Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ (Box Leafed Holly)

A slow growing, compact evergreen box look-alike from Eastern Asia. It can reach 4metres in height but responds really well to clipping so is perfect for Niwaki. Small white flowers in early summer followed by black berries.

Happy in full sun to partial shade. Any aspect in any well drained soil.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.