Ilex crenata 'Dark Green'®

Description and Characteristics

Ilex crenata 'Dark Green'® is a compact, evergreen shrub widely regarded as the best alternative to Buxus (Boxwood) for formal hedging and topiary. With its tiny, glossy, deep green leaves and naturally dense, bushy habit, this Japanese holly variety mimics the appearance of box but offers superior resistance to box blight and box tree moth.

It forms a tight, rounded shape without extensive pruning and holds its colour beautifully throughout the year. Unlike some other Ilex crenata types, 'Dark Green'® is particularly uniform in growth and has a slightly faster growth rate while remaining easy to maintain.

Small, inconspicuous white flowers may appear in late spring, and if pollinated (on female plants), may be followed by small black berries. However, the main appeal of this plant lies in its elegant, evergreen foliage and its formal, structured presence in gardens of any style.

• Evergreen shrub with fine-textured, dark green foliage

• Ideal substitute for Buxus in hedging, edging, or topiary

• Grows to 1–1.2 m tall and wide, but easily kept smaller with pruning

• Naturally compact and uniform in habit

• Excellent for formal gardens, modern designs, or low-maintenance borders

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Ilex crenata 'Dark Green'® is low maintenance, hardy, and adapts well to different planting conditions—especially where boxwood struggles due to pests or soil requirements.

• Light Requirements:

  • Prefers full sun to partial shade

  • Grows well in lightly shaded areas, making it versatile for borders

  • Leaf colour remains vibrant in most light levels

• Soil Preferences:

  • Requires moist but well-drained soil

  • Prefers acidic to neutral pH; avoid alkaline or chalky soils

  • Use ericaceous compost or mulch to support soil health if needed

• Watering Needs:

  • Water well during the first growing season to establish roots

  • Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant

  • In containers, water consistently during dry spells

• Feeding:

  • Apply an ericaceous fertiliser in spring to support healthy leaf growth

  • Mulch annually with compost or pine bark to improve soil texture and acidity

• Pruning and Maintenance:

  • Requires light pruning 1–2 times a year to maintain shape

  • Responds well to clipping—suitable for balls, pyramids, cubes, and hedging

  • Remove any reverted shoots to preserve uniformity

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy in Zones 6–9 (RHS H5–H6)

  • Withstands frost and cold winds once established

  • In exposed areas, mulch base in autumn to protect roots

Garden Uses, Companion Plants, and Design Ideas

Ilex crenata 'Dark Green'® is perfect for providing year-round structure, formal edging, and architectural accents in any garden. Its resilience and uniformity make it especially useful for low hedging and mass planting.

• Design Applications:

  • Perfect for formal borders, knot gardens, parterres, and box-style hedging

  • Works beautifully as standalone topiary or repetitive planting in minimalist designs

  • Suitable for containers, especially near entrances or terraces

• Companion Plants:

  • Pairs well with Camellia, Pieris, Azalea, and Rhododendron in acidic beds

  • Contrasts with silver foliage like Artemisia, Lavandula, or Stachys byzantina

  • Complements low ground covers like Heuchera, Thymus, or Ajuga

• Container Use:

  • Thrives in pots with ericaceous compost and added drainage grit

  • Trim regularly to maintain shape and symmetry

  • Ideal for front doors, patios, balconies, or rooftop gardens

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Highly resistant to box blight and box tree moth

  • Rarely affected by other pests

  • May show chlorosis (yellowing leaves) in alkaline soil—treat with iron supplements or replant in acidic compost

• Size
  2 Ltr pot

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

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.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.