Ilex Dark Green. A true alternative for blight infected Buxus plants.
Ilex Crenata Dark Green Trough : Winter Hardy Ilex Crenata 'Dark Green' is a female plant, blossoms are small and inconspicuous, matte white they flower May-June and are a 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 27miles 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.
Trough hedging can be planted at any time of year, although Autumn to Spring is the best time to plant.
Feed still within in the growing media will give nutrients to the plants well into the next growing season, for continued strong growth.
What to expect: Your Ilex Crenata trough will arrive planted in a 100cm long, 20cm width trough, it will have an overall height inclusive of pot of approximate 25/30cm. The trough is made up of 5 Ilex plants. It will look exactly like the picture.
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
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 your Ilex Crenata 'Dark Green' would be 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.
Why are hedges so important? Hedges are important for wildlife on farms and in urban and residential areas too, they provide a safe habitat for wildlife to nest, breed, hibernate and travel, and offer a crucial food source in months of scarcity.
