Common Name: Japanese Holly, Box-leaved Holly
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Plant is Native to: Japan, Korea, many other Asian countries. Introduced to the US in 1898, at Arnold Arboretum.
Plant Height at maturity: 5 to 10' with similar spread.
Plant Habit and Form: A dense, compact shrub, with multiple rigid branches. Rounded or broad rounded outline. Slow growth.
Foliage: Dark green, lustrous leaves above. Evergreen. Oblong, alternating with serrated margins. 1 to 2" long. Short petiole.
Photo: Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT
Bark: Smooth, gray-brown or slightly greenish; mostly hidden by dense foliage.
Flower: Dioecious, unisexual, dull greenish white with 4 petals, in May-June; not showy. Grow in leaf-axils of current season’s growth.
Fruit/Seed: Black berry-like seed, 1/4" diameter; inconspicuous because born under the foliage. Only female plants bear fruit in September-October.
Growing Requirements: Zone 5 to 8, but best in 5 to 7. Prefers light, moist, well-drained, slightly acid soils; adapts to sun or shade. Does well in city gardens.
Problems and Drawbacks: In high pH soils, chlorosis may occur. Susceptible to spider mites, nematodes (in south) and black knot disease (Thielaviopsis basicola).
Special Uses: Good landscape plant, for textural differences in foundation plantings, hedges and masses. Exceptionally hardy and long-lived. In Japan, have been maintained for so long they can be walked on. Best if pruned in a natural style, but often over pruned to make ‘sculptures’.
ID Tips/Remarks: Differentiated from Buxus by its serrated leaf edges, and alternating leaf on stem. (Buxus has opposing leaves, with smooth edges).
Bibliography:
Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 1998 Stipes Publishing, Champaigne, IL
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/i/ilecre/ilecre1.html
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