Ilex crenata Dark Green ='Icoprins11' Sphere (Japanese Holly)

Common name: Japanese Holly 'Dark Green'

Description: This compact evergreen holly cultivar has been shaped into a dense sphere shape.

Dense, glossy dark green foliage with small, rounded leaves that create an excellent boxwood alternative. The neat, rounded habit makes it perfect for topiary work, low hedging, or formal garden designs. Unlike traditional hollies, this variety has small, non-spiny leaves and produces tiny white flowers in spring followed by small black berries on female plants. The dense branching structure and consistent growth pattern make it an ideal choice for structured plantings and container cultivation.

Other benefits: excellent boxwood substitute, topiary potential, pest and disease resistant, evergreen structure

Wildlife attraction: small pollinators, birds feed on berries (female plants)

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1m x 1m

Position: full sun to partial shade; tolerates coastal conditions

Soil pH: prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil

Moisture: moderate water requirements; prefers moist but well-drained soil

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C