Ilex crenata 'Dark Green'® 60-70 CM PYR

Planting Your Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’® Pyramid

Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’® is a compact evergreen Japanese holly with small, glossy, dark-green leaves and dense branching. Trained into a 60–70 cm pyramid, it provides year-round structure beside entrances, along pathways, in formal borders or in containers. Its fine foliage and tolerance of clipping make it a popular alternative to traditional box topiary.

• Choose a position in full sun or partial shade. Good light encourages dense, even foliage, although protection from intense afternoon sun can be helpful in hot locations.
• Select a reasonably sheltered site away from severe frost, cold drying winds and reflected heat. Exposed conditions may cause leaf scorch or uneven growth.
• Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Ilex crenata prefers neutral to acidic conditions and may develop yellow foliage in strongly alkaline or chalky ground.
• Improve poor soil with well-rotted organic matter. If the ground is heavy, incorporate suitable drainage material and avoid locations where water remains after rain.
• Water the root ball thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole approximately twice its width but no deeper than its existing height.
• Set the plant upright with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Check the pyramid from several angles before backfilling to ensure it is straight.
• Refill the hole carefully, firm the soil gently and water generously. Apply a 5–7 cm layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the main stem.
• For container growing, choose a heavy, frost-resistant pot with drainage holes. Use ericaceous or neutral, free-draining compost and allow enough space for root development.

Watering, Feeding and Seasonal Care

Consistent moisture helps Japanese holly establish successfully and maintain its rich foliage. It dislikes both prolonged drought and permanently saturated soil, so regular checks are more reliable than a fixed watering schedule.

• Water deeply after planting and continue checking the soil throughout the first year. Water again when the upper few centimetres begin to feel dry.
• Pay particular attention during warm, windy or rainless weather. The dense pyramid may direct rainfall away from the root area, leaving the soil drier than expected.
• Check container plants frequently in spring and summer. Water thoroughly until moisture drains from the bottom, then empty any saucer or decorative outer container.
• Reduce watering during winter, but never allow the root ball to dry completely. Evergreen leaves continue to lose moisture throughout mild or windy periods.
• Use rainwater where practical, especially in hard-water areas. Regular watering with alkaline tap water can gradually affect the compost and restrict nutrient availability.
• Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring. A fertiliser intended for acid-loving evergreen shrubs may be beneficial where the soil is slightly alkaline.
• Avoid excessive feeding, as it may produce soft, uneven growth that spoils the defined shape and is more vulnerable to frost.
• Renew the organic mulch each spring to retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil structure. Leave a clear space immediately around the stem.
• Protect container-grown plants during prolonged freezing conditions. Raise the pot on feet to improve drainage and insulate the container to protect the roots.

Pruning and Maintaining the Pyramid Shape

Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’® responds well to clipping and naturally develops dense growth. Light, regular trimming will preserve the pyramid’s clean outline and encourage foliage from the base to the tip.

• Complete the main trim in late spring or early summer, once the risk of severe frost has passed and fresh growth has started to mature.
• Give the plant a second light trim in late summer if necessary. Avoid cutting late in autumn because tender new shoots may suffer frost damage.
• Use clean, sharp topiary shears or secateurs. Begin at the pointed top and work downwards, following the established slope on every side.
• Keep the base slightly wider than the upper section. This allows light to reach the lower foliage and prevents the pyramid from becoming thin near the bottom.
• Step back regularly and view the plant from several angles. Remove small amounts gradually to avoid creating flat patches, hollows or an uneven tip.
• Rotate container specimens periodically so all sides receive similar light and develop at a comparable rate.
• Remove dead, damaged, diseased or crossing shoots whenever noticed. Inspect regularly for scale insects, spider mites and leaf-mining pests.
• Yellowing foliage may result from waterlogging, drought, alkaline soil or nutrient deficiency. Check the soil, drainage and watering routine before applying additional feed.
• With appropriate soil, steady moisture and careful trimming, this pyramid topiary will remain a strong, elegant evergreen feature for many years

• Size
  60-70 CM PYR C7.5

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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