Ilex Crenata 'Dark Green' Ball 50cm+ 25 Litre.
Extra large Ilex Crenata Dark Green Ball, 55 cm diameter planted in a large 25 litre pot, a true alternative to Buxus if you have concerns about blight. also unaffected by Box tree caterpillar.
Extra large Ilex Crenata Dark Green Ball, 55 cm diameter planted in a large 25 litre pot, a true alternative to Buxus if you have concerns about blight. also unaffected by Box tree caterpillar.
Ilex Crenata 'Dark Green' Ball Diameter 50cm+ 25 Litre Pot: The Ilex 'Dark Green' is a female plant, blossoms are small and inconspicuous, matte white flower appear May-June and are a great feeding place for bees. It is extremely hardy and once rooted after planting able to endure extreme low temperatures without problem, however in summer do not allow to dry out as it does not tolerate drought well, it is also not susceptible to root pressure and is extremely easy to prune. It is a wonderful alternative to Box if you have suffered blight or fungal problems, recently it was used at the Royal Dutch Gardens 'Palace Het Loo - Apledoorn' to replace 27 miles of fungal infected boxwood hedging It also creates shelter for small birds and animals but the bark has a bitter taste, hence a natural protection against consumption from wildlife
What to expect: Your plant will arrive with a diameter of 50-55 cm planted in a large 25 litre pot. Height inclusive of pot is 70-75 cm. Exactly as you see in the pictures.
Planting Position: Ilex Crenata are ideal for a wide range of areas from full sun through to partial shade also planted under trees in semi shade, suitable for city centre planting. Soil: Any free draining damp soil does particularly well in Humus rich but is extremely versatile.
Suitable for container planting: Yes ideal for a wide range of conditions, Containers, Troughs, Beds, Borders, Window Boxes, Balconies and terraces.
Eventual height and spread: Not really applicable as the plant more suited to being pruned and kept tidy. Growth speed: Not really applicable when topiary is the desired effect, as plants should be pruned to keep desired shape. ( In hedging form plants that were planted 6 years ago at approximately 15-20cm are know approximately 130cm.
Flowering Period: Small Inconspicuous white flowers during April and May.
Pruning: Very easy to do as the plant has excellent regeneration, should be done approximately twice a year to keep a nice shape and compactness, due to its wonderful regeneration it is suitable to be used to create other shapes of green art and topiary.
Foliage: Small mid to dark green leaves a little shiny approximately 2cm in length
Evergreen: Yes Hardiness: -15
A good start for you Ilex Crenata 'Dark Green' would when you have dug your hole loosen the soil at the bottom and improve by adding compost or organic material NOT FERTILISER. Although this wonderfully tough plant has no real special requirements it will like most other garden products benefit from some fertilisation during the growing period, April to early September, this should be done with an organic liquid fertiliser, which introduces itself to the soil more gradually. Like most other garden plants it does not tolerate drought so ensure a good water supply during the warmer months. It has no special requirements during the winter months.
Recent Feedback: - "Thank You i have been meaning to order some more for a while the original two i bought replaced two very large box balls that caught box blight, they look beautiful, have grown very well and are much better than box.
A good start for you Ilex Crenata 'Dark Green' would when you have dug your hole loosen the soil at the bottom and improve by adding compost or organic material NOT FERTILISER. Although this wonderfully tough plant has no real special requirements it will like most other garden products benefit from some fertilisation during the growing period, April to early September, this should be done with an organic liquid fertiliser, which introduces itself to the soil more gradually. Like most other garden plants it does not tolerate drought so ensure a good water supply during the warmer months. It has no special requirements during the winter months