Skip to content

Japanese Holly

Ilex Crenata

Design with this plant

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 6–9Climate Temperate
Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata) — The Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) offers year-round visual interest with its dense, boxwood-like foliage

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

Family
Aquifoliaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (50)

Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata) — It is amenable to pruning and can be sculpted into various forms; designers provide their clients with a year-round, image 49
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

Related plants

Possumhaw (Ilex Decidua) — Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) is a deciduous holly

Possumhaw

Ilex Decidua

Full · Zones 5–9

Blue Girl Holly (Ilex X Meserveae 'Blue Girl') — commonly known as Blue Girl Holly

Blue Girl Holly

Ilex X Meserveae 'Blue Girl'

Full · Zones 4–8

Compact Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata 'Convexa') — The Compact Japanese Holly 'Convexa' is a dense

Compact Japanese Holly

Ilex Crenata 'Convexa'

Full · Zones 6–9

Sparkleberry Winterberry (Ilex Verticillata Hyb. 'Sparkleberry') — Ilex verticillata 'Sparkleberry', a deciduous holly, boasts vibrant red berries persisting

Sparkleberry Winterberry

Ilex Verticillata Hyb. 'Sparkleberry'

Full · Zones 3–9

Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex X 'Nellie R. Stevens') — The Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R

Nellie Stevens Holly

Ilex X 'Nellie R. Stevens'

Full · Zones 7–9

Foster's Holly (Ilex X Meserveae 'Fosteri') — Foster's Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Fosteri') is a hardy evergreen shrub showcasing deep green

Foster's Holly

Ilex X Meserveae 'Fosteri'

Full · Zones 6–9