Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright Topiary Balls

Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright Topiary Balls
Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright, or the Japanese Holly Caroline Upright, is a perfect small evergreen shrub which is used for creating our Topiary Balls. Easy to maintain and very slow growing, these topiary plants only require a light pruning once yearly to maintain their attractive shape!

Native to the Far East, Ilex Crenata has long been a favourite of UK gardeners for hedging and ornamental uses. The cultivar Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright is an elegant small shrub with an upright habit which lends itself perfectly to topiary. Its thornless, oval, small green leathery leaves are similar to that of Box (Buxus), making it an excellent substitute or Buxus alternative. Caroline Upright produces tiny white flowers in summer that will attract butterflies and bees, and are followed by decorative black berries in autumn and winter, bringing birds to your winter garden. The leaves remain green and fresh-looking year-round, displayed to perfection in our topiary globes.

Hardy throughout the UK and continental Europe, Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright will grow at a rate of 20 cm per year to a mature height and spread of 1.5- 2 metres in 10 to 20 years. Our shaped Ilex Crenata Topiary Balls will only need a clipping in midsummer to maintain their distinctive, rounded globe topiary shape.

Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright will do best in full sun or partial shade in an exposed or sheltered position, in moist but well-drained sand, loam or clay soil with and acid to neutral pH. It is salt tolerant, so will thrive in a coastal location, and also is very tolerant of pollution, making it a perfect choice for city gardens. Resistant to pests and diseases, you will not need to use chemicals to maintain these elegant Ilex Crenata Topiary Balls.

Ilex Crenata Topiary Balls are absolutely ideal for container growing for a roof terrace, balcony, courtyard or patio, where their easily-maintained globe shape and evergreen foliage will be a highlight throughout the year. One topiary ball placed in an urn to either side of a front door will create a formal, welcoming picture. Planted in a row alongside a walkway in a formal garden, Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright topiaries will define the space without interfering with the view.

Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright Topiary Balls are a ready-made landscaping element which you can use in containers or planted in the ground for a formal, easily-maintained accent!