Botanical Name: Ilex crenata
Soft Touch
Helleri
Golden Hoogendorn
Sky Pencil
The following varieties may be available for special request: Hoogendorn, Compacta, Steeds, Ascent, Chubby Hubby, Red Sky.
Seasons of availability: All year.
Japanese holly is a woody, evergreen shrub or small tree native to Asia. Most varieties are dense, multi-stemmed, rigid, and compact with a rounded habit. Larger varieties grow quickly 5 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide before slowing down. Most cultivars of this plant that are available are even more compact and grow only 3 to 4 feet. Fruits are small, black, round drupes that ripen in the fall on female varieties (if pollinated by a male variety). Deer resistance is good, but Japanese holly can have mild problems with spider mites. Black root rot is the most serious concern in the upstate. Japanese holly are good boxwood alternatives when used in foundation plantings, hedges, and masses. There is some wildlife value for pollinators and providing year long shelter for small animals.
Japanese Holly requires excellent drainage and does best in full sun to partial shade. Japanese Holly is hardy to Zones 5-8 and gains moderate drought tolerance once established. Focus on late Winter to early Spring for major pruning. Occasional shearing is acceptable, but hand trimming may be necessary to encourage growth from the middle of the plant. Mulch the prepared soil base to retain moisture and fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer to encourage new growth.
Ideal planting seasons: Fall and Winter.
Botanical Name: Ilex crenata
Soft Touch
Helleri
Golden Hoogendorn
Sky Pencil
The following varieties may be available for special request: Hoogendorn, Compacta, Steeds, Ascent, Chubby Hubby, Red Sky.
Seasons of availability: All year.
Japanese holly is a woody, evergreen shrub or small tree native to Asia. Most varieties are dense, multi-stemmed, rigid, and compact with a rounded habit. Larger varieties grow quickly 5 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide before slowing down. Most cultivars of this plant that are available are even more compact and grow only 3 to 4 feet. Fruits are small, black, round drupes that ripen in the fall on female varieties (if pollinated by a male variety). Deer resistance is good, but Japanese holly can have mild problems with spider mites. Black root rot is the most serious concern in the upstate. Japanese holly are good boxwood alternatives when used in foundation plantings, hedges, and masses. There is some wildlife value for pollinators and providing year long shelter for small animals.
Japanese Holly requires excellent drainage and does best in full sun to partial shade. Japanese Holly is hardy to Zones 5-8 and gains moderate drought tolerance once established. Focus on late Winter to early Spring for major pruning. Occasional shearing is acceptable, but hand trimming may be necessary to encourage growth from the middle of the plant. Mulch the prepared soil base to retain moisture and fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer to encourage new growth.
Ideal planting seasons: Fall and Winter.
