About this product

Ilex crenata 'Jenny'

Ilex crenata 'Jenny'

6-Pack

Plant Highlights: Compact evergreen shrub • Small glossy foliage • Excellent alternative to box • Ideal for low hedging and topiary • Year-round structure

Overview

Ilex crenata 'Jenny' is a compact evergreen shrub with a naturally dense, bushy habit and small, glossy dark green leaves. Its neat appearance makes it an excellent choice for creating low formal hedges, clipped shapes and structured planting, while providing reliable year-round interest.

Often chosen as an alternative to box (Buxus), this versatile shrub responds well to regular trimming and fits equally well in traditional knot gardens, contemporary landscapes and patio containers. Left unclipped, it typically reaches around 1m in height with a spread of approximately 1.5m, although it can be kept much smaller with routine pruning.

Why We Love It

• Naturally dense habit creates crisp formal shapes.
• An excellent evergreen alternative to box.
• Small glossy leaves provide year-round structure and texture.
• Responds exceptionally well to regular clipping.
• Suitable for gardens both large and small.

Plant Details

Growing Guide

Position

Plant in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered or open position. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and is ideal for formal hedging, topiary and structured planting.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season to encourage strong root establishment. Once established, additional watering is generally only required during prolonged dry spells.

Soil

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It performs best in slightly acidic to neutral soils and should not be planted in sites that remain waterlogged during winter.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Fully hardy in Ireland and the UK (RHS H6). Established plants require little winter care, although applying a mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and supports healthy root growth.

Maintenance

Trim once or twice during the growing season to maintain a neat, compact shape. Regular light pruning encourages dense branching, making this variety particularly suitable for formal hedging and topiary.

Perfect For

• Low formal hedging.
• Topiary.
• Parterre gardens.
• Patio containers.
• Front of borders.
• Year-round structure.

Good to Know

When supplied as a 6-pack, these plants are ideal for creating uniform hedging or repeated formal planting schemes. Their naturally compact habit means less frequent trimming is needed compared with many larger hedging shrubs.

Product Information

• Supplied as a 6-pack.
• Evergreen shrub with small glossy dark green foliage.
• Excellent alternative to box for formal hedging and topiary.
• Suitable for full sun or partial shade.
• Best grown in fertile, well-drained soil.
• Decorative pots and containers shown, if any, are not included.