Japanese Holly Ilex crenata Instant Hedge

The Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ Instant Hedge, commonly called Japanese Holly, is a compact, evergreen hedging option perfect for low borders, formal pathways, and refined garden designs. Supplied exclusively by Green-tech in 1-metre troughs, each unit contains 5 dense plants, 30–35cm tall, with 20cm-wide foliage, ready for immediate planting and impact.

Often used as a box hedge alternative, Japanese Holly produces small, glossy dark green leaves and a tidy, dense growth habit. It is resistant to common box hedge problems such as box blight and box moth caterpillar, making it a reliable choice for low-level hedging in both residential and commercial projects. Its compact habit allows for neat formal lines, parterres, or courtyard edging.

This versatile instant hedge is ideal for landscapers, councils, and professional gardeners seeking elegant, disease-resistant hedging with long-term performance.

Features and Benefits

Evergreen Elegance: Dense glossy foliage for year-round visual appeal

Box Hedge Alternative: No risk of box blight or caterpillar damage

Low-Growing & Dense: Perfect for borders, parterres, and pathways

Disease Resistant: Hardy, tolerant of light frost and urban pollution

Instant Hedge Solution: Pre-grown in 1m troughs for immediate structure

Applications

Formal borders and parterre edging

Low garden boundary and pathway definition

Courtyard and rooftop landscaping

Public or commercial green space edging

Specification

Pack Size: 5 plants per 1m trough

Trough Length: 1 metre

Plant Height: 30–35cm

Foliage Width: 20cm

Growth Habit: Slow-growing, compact evergreen

Appearance: Small, dense, glossy dark green leaves

Availability: Year-round (subject to stock)

Planting and Aftercare Instructions

Planting:

Dig a trench twice as wide as the root balls

Remove plants carefully from the trough and space evenly

Backfill with quality topsoil and firm gently

Water thoroughly after planting and during establishment

Aftercare:

Water consistently during dry spells, particularly in the first 1–2 years

Lightly trim to maintain a neat, dense shape

Apply mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

Prefers well-drained soil and sun to partial shade

Important Notes & Customer Responsibility

These are living plants, so seasonal variation in appearance is natural

Winter: Evergreen; leaves remain mostly intact, maintaining structure

Spring/Summer: New growth emerges, keeping hedges dense and formal

Regular watering, light pruning, and occasional fertiliser are critical for healthy establishment. Green-tech cannot accept returns on living plants. Instant coverage is provided, but hedges will continue to fill out and strengthen over time.

Delivery Information

Delivered on pallets via HGV

Ensure suitable access with a flat, level offloading area

Tail-lift may be available; manual unloading or equipment may be required

Delivery addresses must accommodate HGV access and any necessary permissions

Please Note: Dispatched directly from the supplier’s warehouse. Availability may vary, and delivery can take up to 15 working days. Tracking depends on the supplier’s shipping process. Contact Green-tech for advice on delivery or special requirements.

Species | Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ (Japanese Holly)

Pack Size | 5 plants per 1m trough

Plant Height | 30–35 cm

Foliage Width | 20 cm diameter

Growth Habit | Slow-growing, low, compact, evergreen

Appearance | Dense, small, glossy dark green foliage

Soil Preference | Slightly acidic, free-draining soils

Light Requirement | Full sun to partial shade

Available | Year-round (subject to stock)

Packaging | 1-metre planting trough