Ilex crenata

Japanese Holly

Japanese Hollies are best used in mass groups as low shrubs, low hedges, or tall groundcovers. The compact habit of growth, slow growth rate, and small leaves make these ideal plants for use as clipped, formal hedges. Adjacent plants will often grow together looking like a row or group of green mounds. Eventually, the crowns grow completely together forming a sea of green. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
A dense rounded silhouette develops without clipping making it well suited for planting along a foundation. Plant 3 to 4 feet apart to form a hedge, farther apart in a shrub border. It is often used as a mass planting on commercial properties to form a tall ground cover or low shrub mass around parking lots. One yearly pruning can easily keep this plant in bounds in most landscape settings, unless it is clipped into a formal hedge. Two or three clippings may be needed for hedges. It shears fairly well, but will thin slightly toward the base, especially if not located in full sun. Clip the hedge so it is wider at the bottom than at the top to allow maximum light penetration to bottom foliage. This will help keep the hedge full to the ground.

Bloom Color 'Compacta' 6'TW 'Helleri' 2'-4'T 3'-5'W 'Hoogendorn' 2'T 3'W 'Sky Pencil'  6'-8'T 2'-3'W 'Soft Touch' 2'x2'TW 'Steeds' 6'-8'T 5'-6'W

USDA Hardiness Zone 6A to 8B

Characteristics & Attributes