Ilex crenata Dark Green 70-80 CM PYR C10

Ilex crenata 'Dark Green' is a compact, small-leaved Japanese holly prized as a box alternative for clipping and topiary. Supplied here neatly shaped as a pyramid, it carries dense, fine-textured evergreen foliage that holds a rich dark green colour year-round and responds well to regular trimming for a crisp outline. Slow-growing and easy to maintain, it thrives in moist but well-drained, preferably acidic soil in full sun or light shade, making it ideal for formal designs, containers and structured planting. Avoid shallow, chalky or strongly alkaline soils, which can cause foliage yellowing.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun or light shade

Rate of Growth: Slow

Soil: Moist but well-drained, moderately fertile, preferably acidic; avoid alkaline/chalk

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Plant at a Glance