Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) – Elegant Evergreen Shrub for Hedges & Borders

Enhance your landscape with the refined beauty of Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), a versatile evergreen shrub known for its small, glossy leaves and dense growth habit. Perfect for formal hedges, foundation plantings, and borders, this low-maintenance shrub offers year-round greenery with a naturally compact and tidy appearance.

Key Features:

• Lush Evergreen Foliage – Small, rounded leaves resemble boxwood, maintaining a rich green color year-round.
• Compact & Dense Growth – Ideal for shaping into hedges, topiaries, or low-maintenance borders.
• Wildlife Friendly – Produces small black berries in fall, attracting birds.
• Versatile Landscaping Use – Excellent for hedges, edging, mass plantings, and container gardening.
• Low Maintenance & Hardy – Resistant to deer, pests, and diseases, with adaptability to various soil conditions.

Product Details:

• Botanical Name: Ilex crenata
• Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
• Mature Height: 3–10 feet (depending on variety)
• Mature Width: 3–8 feet
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Planting Instructions:

• Seed Preparation: Cold stratify seeds for 60–90 days before planting.
• Sowing: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist, well-drained soil; space shrubs 3–6 feet apart.
• Germination: Keep soil consistently moist; germination may take 6–12 months.
• Transplanting: Once seedlings develop strong roots, move them to their permanent location.

Care & Maintenance:

• Watering: Water regularly during the first year; once established, it is drought-tolerant.
• Pruning: Prune to shape in late winter or early spring for a neat, sculpted look.
• Fertilizing: Apply an acidic, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• General Care: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

With its refined structure, lush evergreen foliage, and easy-care nature, Japanese Holly is a perfect choice for creating formal hedges, decorative borders, and elegant landscapes.