Ilex Crenata Caroline Upright 80/100cm Root Ball Delivery from October

Ilex crenata 'Caroline Upright' – 80/100cm Root Ball

A Neat, Evergreen Alternative to Box for Elegant Formal Hedges

Ilex crenata ‘Caroline Upright’ is a refined, slow-growing Japanese holly cultivar prized for its small, glossy leaves and naturally upright, compact habit. At 80–100cm tall and supplied as a root ball, this evergreen is ideal for creating neat, low-maintenance hedging or structural garden features—especially in box blight-prone areas.

Often chosen as a box substitute due to its similar appearance and excellent tolerance of shaping, ‘Caroline Upright’ thrives in a wide range of soils and conditions. Its tight branching and tidy form make it well-suited for formal edging, topiary, or evergreen structure in modern and traditional planting schemes.

Seasonal Interest

Spring:
New flushes of fresh green foliage emerge, adding density and vibrancy to the plant’s structure.

Summer:
Foliage matures to a deep, glossy green. Tiny, inconspicuous white flowers may appear.

Autumn/Winter:
Retains rich colour and form, offering reliable winter structure with no leaf drop.

Key Features

• Supplied Height: 80–100cm

• Form: Naturally upright and columnar; dense and easily clipped

• Foliage: Small, oval, dark green leaves – box-like in appearance

• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (10–20cm per year)

• Ultimate Height: Up to 2m+ if left untrimmed

• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK

• Root Ball: Field-grown for strong establishment; lift and plant during the dormant season

Ideal For

• Low Formal Hedges: A healthy, blight-free box alternative

• Topiary: Excellent for shaping into cones, balls, or spirals

• Garden Borders: Adds evergreen structure in mixed borders or along paths

• Japanese or Minimalist Designs: Clean lines and compact growth suit modern schemes

• Containers: Performs well in pots with consistent watering and feeding

Planting & Care

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist but well-drained; tolerant of most soil types, including acidic

• Watering: Keep well-watered during the first growing season

• Spacing: 30–40cm apart for a dense hedge

• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring

• Pruning: Trim once or twice annually for shape and density; responds well to clipping

Why Choose Ilex crenata ‘Caroline Upright’?

• Resilient box substitute – avoids common issues like box blight and caterpillar

• Neat, evergreen structure all year round

• Easily maintained with minimal pruning

• Highly versatile – from formal edging to container topiary

• Tidy, elegant form even when left untrimmed