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Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)Shrubs

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Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata

Japanese Holly is a slow-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 5-8, that matures to about 5-10 ft × 5-8 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect green and white blooms in spring and summer. It attracts bees and pollinators, stands up well to deer, drought and pests.

USDA zones
5-8
Sun
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
5-10 ft × 5-8 ft
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color
Green, White
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Attracts
Bees, Pollinators
Tough against
Deer, Drought, Pests, Pollution
Toxic to
People
Native to
Sakhalin Island, Japan, Korea

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Japanese Holly’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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