| Size | |
|---|---|
| Height | 3-3.5 ft., 4.5-5 ft., 5-5.5 ft. |
| Common Name | |
| Type | |
| Family | |
| Native? | Non-Native |
| Zone | 5, 5b, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Height Range (ft.) | 4.00 to 6.00 |
| Spread (ft.) | 3.00 to 4.00 |
| Bloom Time | |
| Bloom Description | inconspicuous flowers, Small, White |
| Sun | |
| Water | |
| Maintenance | |
| Suggested Use | |
| Tolerate | |
| Growth Rate | |
| Attracts |
Ilex crenata ‘Chesapeake’ is a compact, boxwood-like evergreen shrub with dense green foliage—ideal for low hedges, foundations, and formal borders.
$185.99 – $300.99
Please note: Sizes 1.5 Gallon and up can’t be shipped outside the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, and Queens.
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| Size | |
|---|---|
| Height | 3-3.5 ft., 4.5-5 ft., 5-5.5 ft. |
| Common Name | |
| Type | |
| Family | |
| Native? | Non-Native |
| Zone | 5, 5b, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Height Range (ft.) | 4.00 to 6.00 |
| Spread (ft.) | 3.00 to 4.00 |
| Bloom Time | |
| Bloom Description | inconspicuous flowers, Small, White |
| Sun | |
| Water | |
| Maintenance | |
| Suggested Use | |
| Tolerate | |
| Growth Rate | |
| Attracts |
Ilex crenata ‘Chesapeake’, commonly known as Chesapeake Holly, is a low-maintenance, evergreen shrub known for its dense, compact habit and small, boxwood-like leaves. This non-native holly variety grows 3 to 4 feet tall and spreads up to 5 feet wide, making it ideal for foundation plantings, low hedges, or mass plantings. It is often chosen as a substitute for boxwood due to its resistance to disease and deer. Though durable and attractive, Chesapeake Holly provides minimal ecological benefit to native wildlife and does not support pollinators or native insects.
Boxwood alternative: Compact form and glossy foliage mimic boxwood without the disease concerns
Low-maintenance: Tolerant of pruning, drought, and urban conditions
Evergreen structure: Year-round foliage and form for formal or informal plantings
Sun exposure: Grows well in full sun to part shade
Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soils; adaptable to a variety of conditions
Maintenance: Easily pruned; shape in late winter or early spring as needed
Foundation plantings: Adds structure and evergreen interest around buildings
Formal borders: Excellent for clean lines and sculpted hedging
Mass plantings: Useful in commercial or residential landscapes for uniformity
Non-native species: Provides little to no habitat or food for native wildlife
Not a host plant: Does not support native pollinators or beneficial insects
Best used with natives: Combine with native shrubs to create a more balanced habitat
Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’ – Shamrock Inkberry: A compact native evergreen shrub with glossy foliage, ideal for borders, foundations, and pollinator-friendly gardens.
Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’ – Compact Inkberry: A rounded, dense native cultivar perfect for low hedging and native landscape designs.
Ilex opaca – American Holly: A tall native evergreen tree with red berries and strong ecological value for birds and insects.
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No. Ilex crenata, also known as Japanese holly, is native to Japan, Korea, and parts of China. The ‘Chesapeake’ cultivar is a non-native ornamental selection bred for American landscapes and does not provide the same habitat or ecological benefits as native hollies like Ilex verticillata or Ilex opaca.
Chesapeake Holly is a compact, dense evergreen shrub that typically grows to about 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It has a rounded, mounding form, making it ideal for foundation plantings, low hedges, or formal garden borders.
Chesapeake Holly prefers full sun to partial shade and grows best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is adaptable to different soil types and is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and tolerant of pruning.
Unlike many other hollies, Ilex crenata ‘Chesapeake’ does not produce showy berries. It is dioecious (separate male and female plants), but this particular cultivar is typically grown for its fine-textured, boxwood-like foliage, not for ornamental fruit.
Chesapeake Holly is considered moderately deer-resistant, especially once mature. While it doesn’t offer berries for birds, its dense evergreen structure provides shelter for small wildlife and can be useful in landscape designs where native food-producing shrubs are limited.
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