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Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks kre-NAY-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Helleri Japanese holly is a female cultivar of Ilex crenata and is a dwarf broadleaf evergreen shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It has a slow growth rate, reaching 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. This shrub was introduced in 1936 by J. Helleri of Newport, Rhode Island. The genus name, Ilex, is Latin and originates from the name Quercus ilex, which is the holm oak. The holm oak and many shrubs in the Ilex genus have similar foliage. The specific epithet, crenata, refers to the crenate margins of the leaves. The cultivar name, 'Helleri,' is named in honor of nurseryman J. Heller.

Plant in full sun to partial shade and in acidic, moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay, but is intolerant of alkaline soils. It also tolerates pollution. It may not thrive in areas with high heat and humidity such as zones 8 and 9. The plant withstands heavy pruning and can be easily transplanted.

The species is dioecious and both male and female plants are required to produce flowers and fruits. Although this shrub is a female clone, the fruits and flowers are modestly and infrequently produced. The leaves are small, rounded, glossy, and green, and have a few crenate teeth at the tips. The young leaves appear yellowish. The 'Helleri' cultivar was named Holly of the Year for 2015 by the Holly Society of America.

This low-maintenance evergreen should be considered for planting in groups for borders or hedges or added to foundation plantings. The shrub can be pruned to manage its size so it works well in small spaces and as topiary. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Female clone, dwarf, dense, compact, rigid evergreen shrub

  • Dense, tiny, glossy, rounded, evergreen leaves that are about 0.5 inches long and have a few crenate teeth at the tips of the leaves

  • Infrequently produces spring flowers or fall fruits

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious insect or disease problems. It may be susceptible to spider mites and nematodes.  Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow. This shrub tends to struggle in hot and humid summers of the southern United States,

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

More information on Ilex crenata.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#evergreen#white flowers#slow growing#nectar plant#shade garden#broadleaf evergreen#low maintenance#air pollution tolerant#topiary#specialized bees#easy to transplant#low growing plant#pollinator plant#black fruits#evergreen shrub#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bee friendly#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#evergreen#white flowers#slow growing#nectar plant#shade garden#broadleaf evergreen#low maintenance#air pollution tolerant#topiary#specialized bees#easy to transplant#low growing plant#pollinator plant#black fruits#evergreen shrub#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bee friendly#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Species:
    crenata
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The small fragrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi. Berries provide a food source for birds.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Mildly resistant to damage by deer.
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small, globose, berry-like black drupe appearing infrequently in fall on this female plant. Fruit is modestly produced and slightly more than 1/4 of an inch.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Insignificant
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are rarely observed in clusters of 1 to 3 and are 1/4 inch in length. Non-showy greenish-white flowers in spring. Flower inflorescence is pistillate a cyme and staminate solitary in leaf axils of current season's growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Small, alternate, simple, flat dark green leaves that are 1/2 inch long. The underside is dotted with blackish pellucid glands. The tips of the leaves have a few crenate teeth. In the growing season, the new growth is yellow.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, gray-brown or slightly greenish.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are green on the current season growth and turn gray-green to gray-brown by year 2 or 3. Young stems are often densely pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Recreational Play Area
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Minor toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness in humans.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits