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Form
A dense, rounded to oval shrub with many compact branches.
Leaves
Alternate, simple leaf is small, 1/2" – 1 1/4"
long, 1/4" – 1/2" wide, and oval-shaped with a toothed
margin. Leaves are crowded on the stem and the leaf stalks may be
purplish, especially in full sun. Leaves are hard and shiny, dark
green above and dotted with glands below.
Fall Color
No color change.
Stem/Buds/Bark
Stems are yellowish green to green for many years before aging
to light brown; young stems of some cultivars are purple when grown
in full sun. Growth is twiggy with many slender, stiff and brittle
branches.
Flowers
Small, white male and female flowers are on separate plants
(dioecious). Males are borne in clusters of 3 – 7; females
are solitary in the leaf axils, usually hidden by foliage; now showy.
Flowering Time
May through June.
Fruit
A round, green, berry-like drupe, 1/4" diameter, turns
black when it ripens September through October. Borne only on female
plants. Not showy and hidden by the foliage.
Landscape Uses
Japanese holly is widely used for foundation plantings, hedges,
massing, topiary and evergreen background for flowers. With its
many cultivars there is a form and size for any evergreen shrub
landscape need.
Major Landscape Features
Small to medium-sized shrub; foundation, hedge or background
plant; site tolerant; many forms available.
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Hardiness Range
5 – 8
Native Habitat
Japan, Korea
Height
3 – 10 feet
Growth Rate
Slow to medium
Spread
3 – 10 feet or more
Exposure
Sun to shade
Culture
Japanese holly grows best in light, moist, well-drained
soil. It adapts to clay soils and is moderately drought tolerant.
Chlorosis can develop in alkaline soil; pH should be kept
slightly acid. Tolerates pruning and shearing. Responds to
light fertilization. Prefers full sun but will grow in shade,
and shade should be provided in very hot, exposed sites. Roots
should be mulched in winter in western Virginia to avoid freezing
damage.
Pest Problems
Insects – Nematodes, red spider mite, scales, holly
leaf miner.
Diseases – Black knot.
Abiotic – Chlorosis, cold temperature root damage.
Cultivars
"Compacta" – Heavy, compact growth; rounded
form to 6 feet; leaves are flat and shiny dark green; young
stems are purple. "Convexa" – Among the hardiest
forms; grows to 5 feet or more with greater spread; leaves
are shiny dark green, slightly puckered and distinctly cupped
with convex portion above and concave below; susceptible to
spider mites, iron and nitrogen deficiency; often has a heavy
fruit set. "Green Luster" – A loose, open form
with darker green, shinier leaves and spread twice as wide
as height. "Helleri" – Dwarf form, grows 3
feet tall with 3 – 4 feet spread; leaves not as shiny
as most hollies; a substitute for boxwood; does not tolerate
wet sites; better adapted to zone 8 than other Japanese hollies.
"Hetzil" – Slightly convex (a clone of "Convexa");
grows 5 – 6 feet tall and 5 – 7 feet wide; less
hardy than "Convexa" but otherwise superior. "Rotundifolia"
– A vigorous, upright form; larger and more rounded leaves.
Several other cultivars with different habits and leaf sizes,
shapes and colors.
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