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ilex hedge plants

Looking to transform your garden with a resilient, attractive, and versatile hedge? Ilex hedge plants are an outstanding choice for New Zealand gardeners seeking year-round structure, privacy, and beauty. Known for their glossy evergreen leaves, easy-care nature, and dense habits, ilex hedge plants deliver a classic hedge look without the constant maintenance of more traditional species. Whether you’re after a formal border, a windbreak, or a low-maintenance privacy screen, ilex hedge plants offer a range of options to suit every garden style and location.

Ilex crenata 'Helleri' shrubs in a border garden.

Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

5 from 1 customers

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub with small, glossy green leaves and a dense, mounding habit. Resembling boxwood in appearance, it’s ideal for low hedges, edging, or formal borders in New Zealand gardens. This hardy variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 75 cm
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Paths & Steps, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.

Ilex 'Largo'

5 from 2 customers

Ilex ‘Largo’ is a bold, evergreen holly variety known for its dense, glossy green foliage and broad, upright growth habit. It forms a tidy shrub that’s ideal for hedging, screening, or adding structure to gardens. ‘Largo’ is low maintenance and responds well to trimming, making it easy to shape.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its small glossy dark green leaves and naturally dense growth habit. Often used as an...

From$27.53
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Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia'

Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia' is an elegant evergreen holly admired for its narrow dark green leaves and dense upright growth habit. This hardy...

From$136.04
A large and showy Quercus ilex specimen tree in a field.
Quercus ilex

Quercus ilex, commonly known as the Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak, is an evergreen tree with lush foliage. The dark green leaves are glossy and...

From$279.95
Ilex 'Sky Pencil' shrubs with elegant, green foliage growing against a wall.
Ilex 'Sky Pencil'

Ilex ‘Sky Pencil’ is a striking, upright holly prized for its narrow, columnar shape that adds vertical interest to gardens. This evergreen shrub...

From$27.53
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Westringia fruticosa

Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary) is a hardy evergreen shrub prized for its fine grey green foliage, naturally dense habit, and delicate white...

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Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$16.95
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Zamioculcas Black Knight (Zamioculcas Plant)

Zamioculcas Black Knight is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

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A Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' plant in a garden.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' is an evergreen shrub often used instead of Buxus for hedges. It carries dense, upright branches that host small and...

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This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

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Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

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Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Ilex, and Lonicera, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search ilex hedge plants

Why Choose Ilex Hedge Plants?

Ilex hedge plants, often simply known as holly, are celebrated for their hardiness and longevity. Unlike some hedge varieties that quickly become unruly or sparse, ilex hedges maintain a neat, compact shape throughout the year. Their tolerance to pruning allows you to create sharp geometric lines for a formal setting or softer shapes for a relaxed garden. Many ilex species thrive in both full sun and partial shade, adapting well to New Zealand’s varied conditions. Furthermore, these hedge plants provide visual interest in all seasons—think glossy leaves, delicate spring blooms, and vibrant autumn berries, all of which attract beneficial birds.

Popular Ilex Hedge Varieties

Choosing the right ilex hedge plants begins with selecting a variety that matches your garden needs. For robust, upright structure, consider Ilex Largo, a vigorous holly ideal for hedging and screening. If you prefer a traditional holly look, Ilex aquifolium offers deep green, spiny leaves and iconic red berries, with Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia standing out for its slender, elegant foliage—perfect for a more refined hedge line.

For those seeking a boxwood alternative, Japanese holly varieties are prized for their small, non-prickly leaves and tightly branching habit. Ilex crenata Fastigiata delivers vertical stem growth for modern gardens and narrow spaces, while Ilex crenata Helleri offers a dwarf, rounded form ideal for low hedges, borders, and foundation plantings.

Planting and Caring for Your Ilex Hedge

Establishing a thriving ilex hedge starts with proper site selection and preparation. Ilex hedge plants grow best in well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering during their first year. Plant each holly at the recommended spacing—typically 40-60cm apart—to encourage dense growth and seamless coverage. Mulching around the root zone helps conserve moisture and suppress weed competition.

Once established, ilex hedge plants are remarkably easy to care for. Annual pruning in late winter or early spring ensures your hedge stays tidy, maintains a compact habit, and encourages beautiful new foliage. Feeding with a balanced fertiliser in early spring can boost growth and vitality, while occasional misting helps reduce pest pressure.

Find Your Perfect Ilex Hedge Plant

Whether you’re designing a classic garden look, adding wildlife value, or simply seeking a low-maintenance privacy screen, ilex hedge plants deliver reliability and style. Visit our collection to explore Ilex Largo, Ilex aquifolium, Ilex crenata Fastigiata, Ilex crenata Helleri, and Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia—your perfect ilex hedge awaits. Plant holly for timeless structure, enduring privacy, and garden elegance.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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