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Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)

Japanese Holly, Boxleaf Holly 'Sky Pencil', Box-leaved Holly

Ilex crenata, Japanese Holly, Boxleaf Holly 'Sky Pencil', Box-leaved Holly, evergreen shrub, Black Berries, Blue Berries
Ilex crenata, Japanese Holly, Boxleaf Holly 'Sky Pencil', Box-leaved Holly, evergreen shrub, Black Berries, Blue Berries

Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly) is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with shiny foliage of tiny, wavy-toothed, dark green leaves, ½ to 1¼ in. in length (1-3 cm). The smooth rounded leaves resemble those of boxwood. However, Japanese Holly is hardier and more disease resistant. Small black fruits follow the tiny white flowers in late summer and fall. The habit is very variable, ranging from a dense, compact, many-branched shrub to a small, upright tree. Easy to grow, Japanese Holly can be pruned, if desired, to manage its size. It is quite popular for foundation planting, massing, and hedges.

  • Grows up to 4-10 ft. tall and wide (120-300 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. This plant is not fussy and tolerates a wide variety of soils. However, it prefers moist, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Perfect for hedges and screens, foundation plantings, city gardens, or cottage gardens.
  • Prune immediately after flowering.
  • May be affected by aphids, scale insects, holly leaf miner, or holly leaf blight. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Native to Asia, from Japan, Korea to Russia.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 10'
(120cm - 3m)
Spread 4' - 10'
(120cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Garden Uses Edging, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ilex cornuta 'Needlepoint', Chinese Holly 'Needlepoint', Needlepoint Holly, Willowleaf Holly, evergreen shrub, Red Berries, columnar shrub
Ilex cassine, Dahoon, red berries, evergreen shrub, Aquifoliaceae, Berry, holly, Ilex, winter shrub
Ilex Golden Oakland, Ilex hybrid 'Magden', Variegated Holly, Variegated Ilex, evergreen shrub, columnar shrub
Ilex Verticillata, Winterberry, Common Winterberry, Winterberry, Michigan Holly, Black Alder, Red berries, evergreen shrub, American winterberry
Ilex decidua, Possumhaw, Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly, Meadow Holly, Prairie Holly, Swamp Holly, Welk Holly, Deciduous Yaupon, Bearberry, Winterberry
Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon, Yaupon Holly, Cassina, red berries, evergreen shrub, Aquifoliaceae, Berry, holly, Ilex, winter shrub

Recommended Companion Plants

Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis x Acutiflora, 'Karl Foerster', Deer resistant plant, Karl Foerster grassAGM Award
Hydrangea Arborescens, Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea, Sevenbark, White hydrangea
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood', Japanese Maple Bloodgood, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree, purple leaves, Purple Acer, Purple Japanese Maple, Purple Maple, Acer palmatum atropurpureum 'Bloodgood'AGM Award
Hebe Rakaiensis,  Shrubby Veronica, Rakai Hebe, Evergreen Shrub, Small Shrub, Dwarf Shrub, Golden Dome Hebe
Carex Oshimensis 'Everest', Japanese Sedge 'Everest', Carex oshimensis 'Fiwhite', Variegated Sedges, Ornamental grasses,
Ophiopogon Planiscapus 'Nigrescens', Black Mondo, Black Mondo Grass, Black Lilyturf, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Black Dragon', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigra', Ophiopogon 'Black Dragon'AGM Award
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 10'
(120cm - 3m)
Spread 4' - 10'
(120cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Garden Uses Edging, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ilex
Guides with
Ilex
Not sure which Ilex to pick?
Compare Now

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