Caring for your Topiary Plants - Ilex crenata 'Box Holly'

Thank you for purchasing a plant from TopiaryShop.co.uk

Your plant has been carefully grown in the Northern region of Italy, an area famous for it’s warm climate, fertile soils and of course, growers of Topiary. It has then been hand selected from stock, and transported to the U.K, where, for at least a year, it has been further clipped, fed and watered.

Below you will find a description of your purchase, together with a care guide.
We hope your plant will give you many years’ pleasure.

Below you will find a description of your purchase, together with a detailed care guide.
We hope your plant will give you many years’ pleasure.

Upon delivery please carefully remove any packaging from the plant. Water thoroughly, as the plant may have been in transit for several days.
It is recommended that the plant is repotted into a larger more permanent container as soon as convenient.

Ilex crenata: Japanese holly, box-leafed holly - an evergreen shrub that gets its name from its leaves, which cause it to be sometimes mistaken for box. Dense green shiny leaves & produces small black shiny fruits September/October.
Trim new growth during the growing season with sharp shears regularly to maintain shape of plant. Don’t trim in the winter months. Remove any unwanted growth on clear stems. Water regularly; - always try to keep growing medium moist, especially in the growing season. Adaptable to sun or partial shade. Fertilise every few weeks with proprietary fertilizer during the growing season.

Watering:
Water regularly; - always try to keep growing medium moist, especially in the growing season, and during the winter months. It is essential that the growing medium is not allowed to dry out. If this happens, the plant will die and will not recover. As a guide, during the growing season, a full can of water every other day or third day will suffice, and during the dormant season, October – March water twice weekly. Just remember that it is hard to over water, so more is better than less!

Fertilising:
Remember that all living plants need food, and there isn’t much for the plant in tap water.
Fertilise monthly with a proprietary slow release or liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Follow manufacturers application rates. The best way to apply fertilizer though, is to dilute some into the water, each time you water.