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£372.00 Inc. VAT
Ilex CR Kimne Bonsai
The Ilex crenata ‘Kinme’ Bonsai is a refined and elegant evergreen topiary, chosen for its naturally compact growth and beautifully small, glossy dark-green leaves. Its neat, dense foliage makes it perfect for structured garden design, providing year-round shape and visual interest even in the quietest seasons. Carefully trained into a sculptural bonsai form, it brings a touch of precision and Japanese-inspired style to patios, terraces, courtyard gardens, and entrances.
This bonsai holly performs best in moist, well-drained soil, particularly those that are neutral to slightly acidic. It grows happily in full sun or partial shade, and once established, shows good hardiness and tolerance to wind and exposed sites. Because it keeps its leaves throughout the year, it continues to look fresh and stylish in all seasons, making it a dependable evergreen focal point.
Naturally slow-growing, ‘Kinme’ responds well to clipping and shaping, with regular light pruning helping to maintain its tidy outline and enhance its ornamental form. Whether placed in a decorative pot or used as part of a formal layout, it remains low-maintenance while still delivering high visual impact.
As a bonsai specimen, it should be planted individually, allowing space for its shape to be fully appreciated. It pairs beautifully with other architectural evergreens or can stand alone as a statement piece that elevates any outdoor setting.
Offering style, structure, and evergreen colour all year round, the Ilex crenata ‘Kinme’ Bonsai is an exceptional choice for garden lovers who value elegance and precision in their planting.
Pick one 2–3× wider than the rootball with drainage holes. Add a saucer if it’s on a patio, but never let the pot sit in standing water.
Use quality peat‑free multi‑purpose compost blended with roughly 20–30% grit or perlite for drainage. You can mix in a small handful of slow‑release fertiliser granules following the label.
Cover the drainage holes with crock or mesh, add a 3–5 cm base layer of compost mix, and gently tease the outer roots. Position the plant so the top of the rootball sits level with the pot rim, backfill and firm lightly to remove air pockets (don’t bury the stem), then water thoroughly until it runs from the base.
Choose a bright spot with a few hours of sun and shelter from strong, cold winds. For pots, raise the container on feet or small blocks to keep the base off the ground and prevent waterlogging.
Keep the root zone evenly moist during the first season. Check moisture 3–5 cm down and water deeply when dry. In heatwaves expect to water every 1–3 days in pots and about two to three times per week in the ground; in winter, water far less but do not allow the rootball to become bone‑dry.
In spring, apply a slow‑release fertiliser as directed. From late spring to mid‑summer, an optional liquid feed every three to four weeks helps container plants perform at their best.
Lightly trim after the main flush of new growth to keep the plant dense and tidy. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing stems whenever you see them.
Apply a 2–3 cm mulch of compost or fine bark over the root zone to reduce evaporation and suppress weeds, keeping mulch a few centimetres away from the main stem.
Choose sun to light shade and avoid spots that stay waterlogged. Improve heavy clay with grit and organic matter; for very sandy soil, add plenty of compost to hold moisture.
Dig a hole roughly twice as wide as the rootball and only as deep. Roughen the sides and base, and prepare backfill from topsoil and well‑rotted compost at about 70/30 without strong fertiliser at planting. Soak the potted plant for 10–15 minutes, remove it, tease outer roots, and set the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil. Backfill and firm in layers, form a shallow watering basin, water deeply with a full can or two, and finish with a 2–3 cm mulch that does not touch the stem.
Allow at least 1–1.5 m of space from walls, fences, or other shrubs for airflow and shape. Most shrubs do not need staking; in very windy sites use a short stake set at an angle with a soft tie during the first season only.
Water deeply once or twice per week in dry spells, aiming at the original rootball area. Top up mulch each spring and give a light shape once vigorous new growth is visible.
For pots, raise on feet and, in severe frost, move near a wall or wrap the container with fleece or bubble wrap. In the ground, mulch before hard frosts and avoid waterlogging.
Yellowing leaves usually indicate overwatering or poor drainage; improve drainage and reduce watering. Brown, crispy edges suggest underwatering or wind scorch; water more deeply and add shelter. Leggy growth means the plant needs more light; move to a brighter spot and give a light trim after the main growth flush.
