Ilex crenata 'Convexa'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks kre-NAY-tuh
- Description
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Convexa Japanese Holly is a handsome evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae family. It is an extremely dense shrub that does well with heavy pruning and topiary for hedging and grows up to 8 1/5". The plant flowers in late spring and its fruits ripen in the fall. The fruits are black and not showy and the leaves are usually smaller than the 'Hetzii' or 'Latifolia' cultivars. It tolerates drought and air pollution, as well as poor, sandy, and clay soils. The plant has a slow growth rate, likes to be in the shade, is easily transplanted, and does not like Alkaline soils. This holly is susceptible to spider mites and iron and nitrogen deficiencies.
Quick ID Hints:
- Undersides of leaves are dotted with black glands.
- New stems are green and turn grayish after 2 or 3 years.
- Leaf is convex, around 1cm, and too small to fit on a fingertip.
- The small green leaves are crenate and all are convex.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- crenata
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- The small fragrant flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderately resistant to damage by deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Inconspicuous globose, berry-like black drupe that is slightly greater than 1/5" in length. Only female plants have fruits. Fruits ripen in fall and are not showy.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy greenish white flowers in spring that form in clusters of 2 to 3 and are 2/10' in length. Flowers bloom in late spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Black
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are glossy black-green in color and the underside of the leaves are dotted with blackish pellucid glands. The leaf is too small to fit on a fingertip (around 2/5"-1/2" in length), and are crenate and convex.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green on current season of growth and turn gray-green to gray-brown by year 2 or 3. Young stems are often densely pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- English Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
