Description
Origin
The Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’, known as Japanese Holly, originates in East Asia, particularly in Japan, Korea, and China. This plant species belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family. With a history dating back to Antiquity, this plant plays an important role in traditional Japanese garden architecture.
Characteristics
The Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ is renowned for its compact and dense growth of glossy, dark green leaves. These leaves are small, oval, and have slight incisions on the edges. It is a hardy and evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height of about one to two meters. In late spring, this plant produces small white flowers, followed by black berries in the autumn.
Care
The Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ thrives best in well-drained soils and prefers to grow in either full sun or partial shade environments. Although the plant can be pruned at any time of the year, it is recommended to do so in late spring or early summer to promote healthy growth. The ‘Dark Green’ is well resistant to both drought and wet conditions, as long as the roots do not remain in water. An annual fertilizer in early spring will be beneficial for optimal plant health.
