Ilex crenata ‘Kinme’ (Japanese Holly)

This is an evergreen shrub or small tree. A slow growing native of Japan where it could eventually reach 8 metres in height if left unclipped and to its own devices (we don’t…read on) The flowers are small, white and insignificant and occasionally followed by black berries. The dense puff of thick and glossy foliage makes these hollies excellent for clipping, shaping and topiary and as we are endlessly on the hunt for trees and shrubs with the magic combo of being a. ‘very reliable’, b. ‘pretty’ and c. ‘having small leaves’ we are madly in love with ‘Kinme’ which hits all the crits: HOUSE!

Curtain-up after this intro, and a spotlight firmly swung onto our Niwaki (lit. ‘Garden Tree’) and our Linda (lit. ‘Magician’). Poor Linda: continually dragged onto the stage for endless bows, but our captain of clipping and chieftain of chopping is one of our most cherished assets. Her Niwaki production zone is the place to be when you visit us. If you don’t know Niwaki then please book a visit and see ours for we have an endless passion for these clipped and poodled treasures, and each is unique.

In the kind of gardens that we make, and the designs we are so good at delivering, you will see a particular emphasis on eye-catching shapes and sculptural forms. Ilex, with all its qualities and with Linda’s expertise, allows us (and you) to enjoy some astonishingly beautiful and creative living works of proper art. Click here to read further about both Linda and her techniques for training and creating these wonderful specimens.

Very hardy, not fussy about soil but does not like to be waterlogged. Happy in sun or some shade and once established tolerates pollution, coastal conditions and exposed sites.

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.