ilex plant
The ilex plant, often known as holly, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree loved by gardeners across New Zealand for its attractive foliage, architectural form, and – in many varieties – those iconic red berries that add winter garden interest. With its year-round appeal, the ilex plant is a favourite choice for hedging, screening, and standout feature planting. Whether you’re seeking a classic, English garden look or a modern, low-maintenance landscape, the wide range of ilex cultivars means there’s a perfect option for every outdoor space.
Ilex crenata Convexa (Japanese Holly)
Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ is a compact, evergreen shrub with dense, glossy green foliage and a naturally rounded form. The small, convex leaves give it a fine texture, making it an excellent choice for low hedging, topiary, and formal borders. It grows to around 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide with a slow to moderate growth rate. This hardy plant thrives in full sun or partial shade, prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and is easy to maintain in NZ gardens.
From $26.93
Ilex crenata Helleri
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. ‘Helleri’ responds well to trimming and is perfect for structured plantings, containers, and topiary. It’s low maintenance and well-suited to a range of climates.
From $26.93
