Ilex crenata 'Helleri'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks kre-NAY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Helleri Japanese holly is a female cultivar of Ilex crenata and is a dwarf, 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. Heller of Newport, Rhode Island. The Latinized cultivar name, 'Helleri,' honors 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.
Although this cultivar is a female clone, flowers and fruits 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 a topiary. Grow it in a formal English garden (as an alternative to boxwood), Asian or winter garden.
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 turn 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
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border
- 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
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- 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
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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:
- 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
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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:
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Green
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, gray-brown or slightly greenish.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- English 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
