Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright (Japanese holly Caroline Upright)

Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright (Ilex Caroline Upright)

The hedge is always green. And if you like boxwood - or perhaps you have a boxwood hedge that you want to replace - then the Ilex Caroline Upright is very suitable as a boxwood substitute. Although crenata means serrated in Latin, this plant has oval, smooth leaves, which are also very similar to the leaves of the boxwood. This plant blooms in May and June. White flowers will then appear. This Ilex Crenata does not get black currants in the autumn.

The Ilex Caroline Upright is originally from Japan and Korea, but has been a welcome guest in other continents, including Europe, for a long time. It is simply a very nice and strong hedge plant, very reminiscent of the boxwood.

Why choose a hedge from Caroline Upright Japanese holly?

• The plant looks beautiful all year round.
• It is winter hardy, so you can enjoy its green color even in winter.
• It is an excellent alternative to the boxwood, which is increasingly falling prey to the boxwood caterpillar and boxwood moth.
• The hedge can reach a maximum height of 2 meters. It is therefore very suitable as a fence for your garden. This way you keep out the prying eyes of your neighbors and passers-by.
• You can prune the hedge very tight. Pruning into shape is also possible.
• The Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright is very easy to maintain.

When is the best time to plant the hedge?

The best time to plant the hedge is between September and May. But you can’t when it is freezing.

How do you plant a Japanese holly hedge?

1. Remove all weeds from the soil where the hedge will be. The plant needs the moisture and nutrients for itself.
2. Dig a trench that is not too deep. For a nice straight result: stretch a rope between two sticks before digging.
3. Put some potting compost in the trench for a good start. The Ilex Caroline Upright hedge could use the extra minerals and nutrients.
4. Put some of the excavated soil back onto the potting soil. The roots can appreciate loose, well-drained soil.
5. First place the hedge plants along the trench where you want to plant them.
6. Are you satisfied with the distribution? Then place the plants inside the trench. Make sure to place them upright and right in the center. In this way it becomes a beautiful, straight hedge.
7. Fill the trench with soil. Press it down well.
8. Then water the plants sufficiently. And keep doing that until the hedge is set. This is very important.

Tips

Avoid calcareous soil. This plant doesn't like that at all. Make sure to plant it in acidic soil.

Plant the hedge in the sun or partial shade. It likes to face the sun.

The Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright prefers to be in slightly moist soil. Water well twice a week in dry, warm periods. But be careful not to give it too much water. Very wet soil can cause the roots to rot. You must avoid that.

Placement

The Japanese holly Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright can reach a height of 2 meters. It is therefore important that the plants have enough space to grow.

Plant between three and five plants per linear meter, depending on the size.

Grows about 20 cm per year.

Advice & Care

• Water the hedge plants enough, but make sure that it is not in too wet soil.
• Fertilize the Japanese holly hedge every spring. Use an environmentally friendly organic fertilizer for this. The nutrients of this fertilizer are slowly released to the roots. As a result, the hedge plant never gets too much at once. The organic fertilizer is always our preference over the chemical fertilizer. In the chemical variant, the roots get all the nutrients at once, which they really cannot absorb all at the same time. So a lot is lost.
• Prune the Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright twice a year between May and September with sharp pruning shears. Do this in cloudy weather. Not in the sun, because then the leaves can burn.

Treating known conditions of the Japanese holly

The Japanese holly Caroline Upright is strong and it is known for its good health. It has little or no trouble with (fungal) diseases and vermin.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Ilex Caroline Upright

Benefits

• The Ilex Caroline Upright stays green, even in winter.
• The plant is winter hardy. So you don't have to worry about winter.
• You can prune this hedge plant very well.
• The hedge gives you a lot of privacy due to its narrow, compact and upright shape.
• This plant is a good alternative to boxwood.
• You will enjoy the hedge for many years.
• This Ilex Crenata does not get poisonous black currants in the autumn.

Cons

• The plant grows slightly faster than the boxwood. So you will have to prune more often.
• Do not water the hedge too little, but certainly not too much.
• Calcareous soil does work well for his plant, but it does like acidic soil.

Conclusion

You can keep the Japanese holly Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright nice and tight. It is a good substitute for the boxwood. The hedge will also bring you a lot of privacy. You will always have a beautiful green wall of plants, because the plant will not become arid. This hedge plant is ideal because of the little maintenance it requires. A perfect plant for your garden.

Have you found the hedge plant that you can give you joy for years and years to come? Place an order immediately. If you have any further questions, please contact us.