Ilex Crenata Hedges

Box-leaved Holly

Formal gardens have been fashionable around the world since the times of early civilisations and still today they remain popular, especially with the resurgence of Tuscan and Victorian landscape styles. One of the key components of these formal designs is low, clipped hedges that edge the geometric patterns or shapes.

These are often referred to as box or boxed hedges. Careful selection of the right plant types for the scale and size of the garden and the climatic conditions are paramount to successful formal hedging. The following selection includes all the most suitable subjects for a broad range of South African garden conditions. For further information on your particular area, consult with your local garden centre or nursery.

This evergreen plant has tiny, leathery, oval leaves that are dark green in colour. The flowers are insignificant. Space the plants at 45 cm intervals and grow to a height of 50 to 70 cm with a base width of 30 to 40 cm. It has a slow growth rate and is an ideal plant for cold climates.