For younger plants up to two years old, water if conditions become dry. A twice yearly feed with blood, fish and bone in spring and autumn will help it to establish a good root system. Keep the area around the base of the plant free from weeds and grass.
How do you grow Ilex crenata from seed?
For best results, grow Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Acidic soils are preferred, but they’ll usually tolerate growing in chalky soils. A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
What can I plant with Ilex crenata?
'Golden Gem' is a good foil for blue scillas and blue Anemone blanda. Only use small bulbs and plants or they will dwarf these low-growing shrubs. In formal gardens Ilex crenata give good structure and can be used with other foliage plants.
How do you take care of Ilex crenata?
Ilex crenata, like box, can survive with a once-a-year clip - although two is infinitely better. The black berries and the pale new growth, set against the slightly curved darker leaves, make this an attractive plant whether trimmed or left to grow.
What does Ilex crenata look like?
Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ has deep-green, convex leaves that more closely match those of true box leaves. Clipped into topiary shapes, it’s ideal for adding year-round structure to borders or for growing in large containers.
What is the best fertilizer for Japanese holly?
What Type Of Fertilizer & How Much? Fertilize Japanese hollies at rates recommended on the product label with a slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer that contains iron and/or sulfur for deep greening. Alternatively, you can feed plants with an organic plant food.
How do you fertilize an Ilex?
Fertilizing Holly Bushes Compost or well-rotted livestock manure makes excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice.
Can you use Miracle Grow on holly bushes?
Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Miracid® Acid-Loving Plant Food is great for use on Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias, Hibiscus, Holly, Hydrangeas, Orchids, and many others.
Why is my Ilex Crenata losing its leaves?
Lack of water is the No. 1 reason for this - especially for a new transplant planted in summer. Sometimes transplant shock will cause a new holly to drop leaves dramatically soon after planting. But if it's kept watered, dormant buds will pop out a new set of leaves within a few weeks.
How do you care for Ilex Crenata?
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)Plant Feed. Annually with organic matter.Watering. Water regularly until established.Soil. Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil.Basic Care Summary. Plant in any sunny location in the garden. Best in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Prune to maintain desired shape.
Does holly need ericaceous compost?
Holly doesn't need acid soil. A pot full of ordinary garden soil would be best. Failing that a loam based compost. You don't need to repot unless it is potbound.
Is Epsom salt good for holly bushes?
According to the Epsom Salt Council, Epsom salt increases the production of chlorophyll and helps plants grow bushier.
How do you rejuvenate holly bushes?
0:274:01In the Garden - Pruning Holly Bushes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHard in late winter. Maybe early spring right before a new growth begins.MoreHard in late winter. Maybe early spring right before a new growth begins.
How do you encourage holly to grow?
Cultivation. Most hollies prefer a site that receives full sun, or is lightly shaded. They need a moist, but well-drained soil, enriched with lots of organic matter. They will grow in most soils types, but don't like gardens on solid chalk.
Why is my Ilex Crenata going yellow?
The most common reasons for this is either overwatering or poor drainage.
Does Ilex Crenata need ericaceous soil?
For best results, grow Ilex crenata 'Dark Green' in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Acidic soils are preferred, but they'll usually tolerate growing in chalky soils.
Why is my Ilex Crenata going brown?
Weather. Heller's Japanese holly is very sensitive to drought, according to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, and requires regular watering. This is especially true when the shrub is newly planted. With inadequate irrigation, leaves may quickly turn yellow or brown.
What should I feed my holly tree?
Feeding / Fertilizing your Holly Tree They like either a well-rotted manure, garden compost or a broadleaf evergreen fertiliser. To fertilise using manure or compost, simply spread it along the surface of the soil that covers the root zone, this will penetrate down to the roots over time.
Are coffee grounds good for holly bushes?
It is well known that holly plants love acidic soil. Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of Holly Shrubs and Holly Trees for dense foliage growth and improved berry production.
What causes yellow leaves on holly bushes?
Yellow leaves on holly trees is a fairly common problem for gardeners. On a holly, yellow leaves typically indicates an iron deficiency, also known as iron chlorosis. When a holly plant does not get enough iron, the plant cannot produce chlorophyll and you get yellow leaves on your holly bush.
What is best fertilizer for evergreens?
A “complete” fertilizer — one that supplies the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) — is often recommended. A fertilizer analysis of 10-8-15 means the fertilizer has 10 percent nitrogen, 8 percent phosphorous, and 15 percent potassium.
Box-leaved holly
Commonly known as box-leaved holly, Ilex crenata is a slow-growing evergreen shrub often chosen as a more robust alternative to box ( Buxus sempervirens ), owing to its resistance to box blight, box tree caterpillar and low temperatures.
Ilex 'Dark Green' and wildlife
Ilex 'Dark Green' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Ilex 'Dark Green' poisonous?
Ilex 'Dark Green' is harmful if ingested and causes an upset stomach. Its foliage and fruit are toxic.
Methods of propagation of Ilex crenata
There are three methods available to you for the propagation of Ilex crenata:
Propagate Ilex crenata using cuttings
Cuttings are cut in July or August, when the bush is best in the sap. Cut shoots 7 to 15 cm in length. Remove the lower leaves.
Propagation of the Japanese holly by subsidence
Ilex crenata in the field can be propagated very well with subsidence. To do this, bend a shoot on the ground. Carefully scratch it. Cover it with soil so that the tip of the shoot is still looking out of the ground. If necessary, weigh down the sinker with a stone or tent peg.
Sow Ilex crenata
The berries that the female shrubs of the Japanese holly develop in autumn can also be used for propagation. To do this, simply stick the berries in the desired location in the soil. However, it takes more than a year for germination.
Growing tips
These easy plants will grow on all soils, tolerating lime and clay. Like all hollies there are male and female forms but only the females form berries.
Good companions
Ilex crenata can be used in containers with spring bulbs. 'Golden Gem' is a good foil for blue scillas and blue Anemone blanda.
Where to buy
Romantic Garden Nursery, Swannington, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 4NW (01603 261488; www.romantic-garden-nursery.co.uk ). Mail order available; send 4 x 1st class stamps for a catalogue.
Reader offer
Gardening readers can buy a collection of four Ilex crenata for £14.95 or two collections for £24.90 saving £5. Each collection contains one each of Ilex crenata 'Convexa', 'Fastigiata', 'Golden Gem' and 'Convexa Gold'. Please send orders to: Telegraph Garden Service, Dept. TL386, 452 Chester Road, Manchester M16 9HL.
What is the most common type of holly?
There are several different types of holly, the commonest being: American Holly ( ilex opaca ): looking very much like English varieties, these tend to grow slightly larger and have duller and wider leaves. They are native to the United States and their stems are used in Christmas celebrations.
What is the English Holly?
English Holly (ilex aquifolium): these are the types commonly grown in English parks and gardens. Some are plain green, some have variegated foliage, all have glossy, prickly leaves. The most popular foliage and berries in the UK for Christmas decorations.
