Howard's Compact Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata 'Howard's Compact'
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 8 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Other Names: Boxleaf Holly
Description:
An exceptional naturally dwarf evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded shape, ideal for massing and garden detail use, tiny leaves add aesthetic value, takes pruning very well; does best in evenly moist, acidic soils
Ornamental Features
Howard's Compact Japanese Holly has dark green evergreen foliage on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. The small glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. It produces black berries from mid fall to late winter.
Landscape Attributes
Howard's Compact Japanese Holly is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Insects
- Disease
Howard's Compact Japanese Holly is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Howard's Compact Japanese Holly will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a female variety of the species which requires a male selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
