Ilex Root Ball Hedging (English Holly & Ilex Crenata) Pre-Orders Now Open

Premium Evergreen Hedging – Available October to March

Ilex hedging offers year-round colour, structure and privacy, making it one of the finest evergreen hedging choices for both traditional and contemporary gardens. Whether you're looking for the classic beauty of English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) or the neat, compact foliage of Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly), our field-grown root ball plants provide exceptional quality and value.

Our root ball Ilex is grown in open fields for several years before being carefully lifted during the dormant season with an intact ball of soil surrounding the roots. This allows you to purchase mature, well-established plants at a significantly lower cost than equivalent container-grown specimens.

Available exclusively between October and March, root ball Ilex is ideal for creating a long-lasting evergreen hedge.

Why Pre-Order Your Ilex Hedging?

Our Ilex plants are lifted fresh from the field each autumn, with the best specimens available from the first lifting of the season.

By pre-ordering now, you'll benefit from:

• ✔ Priority access to freshly lifted field-grown plants
• ✔ The widest choice of sizes
• ✔ Guaranteed availability before peak season
• ✔ Exclusive pre-order offers before lifting begins

Larger specimens require many years to grow and are often reserved well before the season begins.

Why Choose Root Ball Ilex?

Field-grown Ilex develops naturally over several years, producing strong fibrous root systems and dense branching before lifting.

Root ball plants provide excellent value, allowing you to establish a mature evergreen hedge at a considerably lower cost than large container-grown plants.

Benefits include:

• Larger plants for less money
• Freshly lifted field-grown stock
• Strong, healthy root systems
• Excellent establishment when planted correctly
• Beautiful evergreen structure all year round
• Long-lasting, low-maintenance hedging

With the correct planting and aftercare, Ilex establishes steadily and develops into an attractive, dense hedge.

Which Ilex Should You Choose?

English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

English Holly is one of Britain's best-loved native evergreens, producing glossy, spiny dark green leaves and, on female plants with a nearby pollinator, vibrant red berries during autumn and winter.

It offers:

• Dense evergreen screening
• Traditional British character
• Attractive berries for wildlife
• Excellent security hedging thanks to its spiny foliage
• Outstanding longevity
• Native wildlife value

Ideal for country gardens, formal boundaries and mixed native planting schemes.

Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)

Often chosen as an alternative to Box, Ilex crenata has small, glossy leaves and naturally compact growth, making it perfect for low formal hedges and topiary.

Benefits include:

• Small evergreen foliage
• Naturally neat growth
• Excellent for formal hedging
• Ideal alternative to Box
• Easy to clip and shape
• Suitable for contemporary and traditional gardens

Unlike Box, Ilex crenata is not affected by Box Tree Moth and is often selected as a resilient replacement.

Planting Root Ball Ilex

Root ball Ilex should be planted as soon as possible after delivery.

1. Prepare the Ground

Dig a planting trench or individual holes wider than each rootball and loosen the surrounding soil to encourage new root growth.

2. Position the Plant

Place each rootball so the top sits level with the surrounding soil surface. Avoid planting too deeply.

3. Leave the Hessian On

Do not remove the hessian or wire basket. These materials are designed to hold the rootball together during planting and naturally decompose over time while allowing roots to grow through.

4. Backfill

Refill with the excavated soil, firm gently around the rootball and water thoroughly.

Soil and Position

Ilex grows well in most fertile, well-drained garden soils.

Suitable for:

• Clay (provided drainage is reasonable)
• Loam
• Sandy soils
• Slightly acidic to neutral soils

It thrives in:

• Full sun
• Partial shade
• Sheltered gardens
• Exposed locations once established

Avoid permanently waterlogged ground.

Aftercare

Good aftercare during the first growing season is essential for successful establishment.

We recommend:

• Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
• Continue deep watering throughout the first spring and summer during dry weather.
• Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Keep grass and weeds clear around the root zone.
• Stake larger specimens where required to prevent wind rock.

Consistent watering during the first year is the most important factor in helping root ball Ilex establish successfully.

Pruning Ilex Hedging

Both English Holly and Ilex crenata respond well to regular pruning.

For best results:

• Trim once each year during late spring or late summer.
• Formal hedges can be lightly clipped twice annually if required.
• Remove any damaged or crossing branches during routine maintenance.

Regular pruning encourages dense, bushy growth and helps maintain a neat, attractive hedge.

Ilex Root Ball Hedging FAQs

When is root ball Ilex available?

Root ball Ilex is available between October and March, while plants remain dormant.

Which should I choose – English Holly or Ilex crenata?

• English Holly is ideal for taller evergreen hedges, wildlife value and traditional gardens.
• Ilex crenata is best suited to low formal hedges, borders and as an excellent alternative to Box.

Should I remove the hessian?

No. Leave both the hessian and any wire basket intact. They naturally break down after planting while helping to keep the rootball together during establishment.

Can Ilex be planted in winter?

Yes. Winter is the ideal planting season, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.

Is root ball Ilex guaranteed?

Root ball plants are freshly lifted from the field and rely on correct planting, suitable soil conditions and good aftercare for successful establishment. Because factors such as weather, planting depth, watering and soil conditions are outside our control, root ball hedging is supplied without guarantee.

Reserve Your Ilex Root Ball Hedging Today

Whether you're planting the timeless beauty of English Holly or the refined elegance of Ilex crenata, root ball Ilex offers an excellent way to establish a mature evergreen hedge with lasting appeal.

Pre-order now to secure the freshest field-grown stock, enjoy the widest choice of sizes and ensure priority availability when lifting begins in October. With beautiful evergreen foliage, excellent hardiness and outstanding longevity, Ilex remains one of the finest choices for year-round hedging.