A low growing, densely branched, compact evergreen shrub with handsome, flattened, dark green foliage. Very reminiscent of boxwood. Male plant; does not produce berries. An elegant choice for use in shrub borders, as a low hedge or in mass plantings. Has impressive cold hardiness.
There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden.
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Design IdeasUse this plant as a groundcover to block weeds over large areas of the garden. Neatens up edges of planters along walks, paths and lawn. Covers up unattractive open spaces between trees and larger old shrubs that have lost their lower leaves. Superior cover up for mortar, plastic and utilities around the edges of water garden. Great problem solver for rocky ground where this holly carpets spaces between rock outcroppings.
Companion PlantsThis groundcover does very well to cover the ground plain beneath Pagoda Dogwood, (Cornus alternifolia), Hick's Yew, (Taxus x media 'Hicksii'), Pocahontas Canadian Lilac, (Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Pocahontas') and Forest Pansy Redbud, (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy').
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
Japanese holly was originally named after Robert Fortune of London, who obtained it in Japan while collecting there for Standish and Noble in the 1860s. It was later renamed from the Latin for scalloped leaves. This is believed to be the most cold hardy of all crenata cultivars. It was developed by famed Ilex breeders at Hoogendorn Nursery of Newport, Rhode Island.
Lore:
Linnaeus gave this genus the name Ilex after the holly oak of Europe (Quercus ilex) even though these plants are not related.