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Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

At Heijnen Plants, we take pride in offering the Ilex crenata 'Convexa', a distinguished variety of Japanese holly that is renowned for its lush, dark green foliage and delicate white blooms. This exquisite plant embodies the quintessence of grace with its convex-shaped leaves, which bring an element of refined texture to any garden. Ideal for creating structured borders or as a topiary, the 'Convexa' cultivar is a versatile addition to both formal and informal landscapes, infusing a touch of elegance with its timeless beauty.

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
15-30cm a year

Visual barrier
Moderately obscuring

Position
Shade, partial shade, sun

Maintenance
Low maintenance

2+ £12.50

50+ £11.85

100+ £11.55

200+ £11.25

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
20-30

Planting distance per meter
5

11.25

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £13.60

50+ £12.95

100+ £12.60

200+ £12.25

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
30-40

Planting distance per meter
4

12.25

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £14.85

50+ £14.15

100+ £13.75

200+ £13.40

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
40-50

Planting distance per meter
3

13.40

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £19.00

50+ £18.05

100+ £17.55

200+ £17.10

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
50-60

Planting distance per meter
3

17.10

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £25.25

50+ £24.00

100+ £23.35

200+ £22.75

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
60-80

Planting distance per meter
3

22.75

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

The Ilex crenata 'Convexa', commonly known as the Japanese holly, is a versatile and robust plant ideal for crafting block hedges and structured garden designs. With its small, glossy, and convex leaves that maintain a rich palette of cream, yellow, and green throughout the year, this evergreen species adds continuous vibrancy to gardens across seasons.

Key Features

The Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is renowned for its adaptability to a variety of soil conditions, provided they are well-drained. This plant thrives in full sun, partial shade, or full shade, making it an excellent choice for diverse garden locations. With moderate growth rates and a requirement for minimal pruning, typically once a year, Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is an ideal low-maintenance option for gardeners seeking a visually dense hedge. It is winter hardy down to USDA zone 6, enduring temperatures as low as -23.3°C. Additionally, the white blossoms that grace this plant in spring and early summer offer a subtle, yet delightful contrast to the foliage.

Tips

To ensure the health and beauty of your Ilex crenata 'Convexa', consistent watering is necessary, especially if the plant is not situated in an area that receives natural precipitation. When it comes to propagation, semi-ripe cuttings taken during the growing season, or hardwood cuttings in autumn or winter, can be used to expand your collection. While the Japanese holly is forgiving with pruning, shaping the plant annually will maintain its dense and tidy appearance. Always remember, though, to protect this evergreen from severe drought conditions to keep it thriving.

Ideal placement of a Ilex

The Ilex 'Convexa' is versatile in its location preferences, tolerating full sun to full shade. However, to achieve the most vibrant foliage colors, a position with partial shade is recommended. This species thrives in a variety of well-drained soil types, making it a flexible choice for different garden settings. Additionally, its resilience in cold weather, with winter hardiness down to -23.3°C (USDA zone 6), ensures its survival in a wide range of climates. Proper site selection with adequate drainage will promote health and growth of this evergreen hedge.

Planting a Ilex

To plant Ilex crenata 'Convexa', select a location that can be in shade, partial shade, or sun. The species thrives in all well-drained soil types. When planting a hedge, ensure proper spacing to accommodate the moderate growth rate of 15-30 cm per year, allowing for a moderately obscuring visual density. With a root ball, it is crucial to dig a trench deep and wide enough to comfortably fit the root system, and water thoroughly after planting. Due to its winter hardiness, it can survive temperatures down to -17.8°C, making it suitable for USDA zone 6.

Pruning a Ilex

Pruning is a once-a-year task for Ilex crenata 'Convexa', best undertaken in late spring or early summer after the blooming period. This cultivar's evergreen nature and moderate growth rate mean it retains its shape well, necessitating minimal trimming. When pruning, aim to maintain the desired shape and remove any dead or damaged branches to encourage healthy growth. Due to its winter hardiness, USDA zone 6, it can withstand cold temperatures without significant dieback, reducing the need for extensive seasonal pruning.

Watering a Ilex

For optimal growth, Ilex crenata 'Convexa' requires consistent moisture, especially when establishing a new hedge. Though the species is not drought resistant, it is important not to overwater, as this can lead to poor root health. The soil should be kept well-drained and water should be applied at the base of the plant to encourage deep root development. During periods of extended dryness or extreme heat, increase the watering frequency to maintain soil moisture, but always allow for proper drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Fertilising a Ilex

To ensure the Japanese holly 'Convexa' thrives, it is necessary to provide it with the appropriate nutritional support. Fertilizing this evergreen should be done in early spring, to coincide with the onset of the growing season. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer is ideal, as it provides a steady supply of nutrients that support the moderate growth rate of 15-30 cm per year.

Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base can also be beneficial, as it not only enriches the soil as it breaks down but helps retain moisture—a crucial factor given the plant's lack of drought resistance. It's important to avoid over-fertilization to prevent potential damage to the plant's root system and to maintain its natural resistance to cold, as it is winter hardy down to -17.8°C.

The characteristics of a Ilex

The Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is noted for its adaptability to various soil types, provided they are well-drained. Its dense, fine-textured foliage responds excellently to pruning, making it an ideal candidate for topiary or formal hedges. In addition, the plant's small, black berries and subtle white flowers offer a quiet yet pleasing aesthetic, often overshadowed by the plant's sculptural qualities. With a root ball system, transplanting and establishing this Japanese holly in the landscape is generally successful and straightforward.

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