Japanese Holly Green Hedge This Ilex is another great substitute for the blight-prone Box plant. It clips just as neat and is perhaps the closest in appearance to Box- it would take a trained eye to see the difference in a clipped hedge. Ilex crenata Green Hedge is evergreen and hardy. It prefers its soil on the slightly acidic side, growing in most soils that are free draining. Site: Tolerates some inland exposureSoil: Well-drained normal soilsPosition: Full sun to part shadeSeason of Interest: Evergreen foliage, creamy-white flowers in early SummerHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 4-6ft (1.5-2m) Spread: 6ft (2m)Hedging Spacings: 6’’(15cm) for hedges up to 2ft Space 9" (23cm) apart for hedges 2-4ftSpace 1ft (30cm) apart for hedges over 4ft