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Japanese Holly

Ilex Crenata

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Overview

The Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) offers year-round visual interest with its dense, boxwood-like foliage. Growing 5-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, this evergreen shrub features small, glossy leaves with slight scalloped edges and inconspicuous white flowers. It adapts well to pruning, perfect for formal gardens. Plant in a sunny to partly shaded area with well-drained soil, USDA Zones 5-8. Resistant to deer, it's an ideal low-maintenance hedge or topiary.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 6–9Type Broadleaf Evergreen, ShrubClimate Temperate
Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata) — The Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) offers year-round visual interest with its dense, boxwood-like foliage; it adapts, image 39

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
6–9

Shape & size

Mature height
5–10 Ft.
Mature width
5–8 Ft.

Classification

Type
Broadleaf Evergreen, Shrub
Family
Aquifoliaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (70)

Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata) — or even bonsai in smaller varieties; plant in a sunny to partly shaded area with well-drained soil, USDA Zones 5-8, image 50
Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata) — Unlike the prickly leaves of common hollies; its slow to moderate growth rate, around 6 to 12 inches per year, allows for easy
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Ilex Crenata
Photographs by 2 contributors

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