Helleri Holly Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

Helleri Japanese Holly is a female cultivar of Ilex crenata and is a dwarf broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It is low-growing, dense, rigid, and compact with a spreading mound and has non-showy, greenish-white flowers in the spring and small black drupes in the fall. 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 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 J. Helleri. 

Plant in the full sun to partial shade in acidic, moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, from moist to dry, including clay. The shrub can be pruned to manage its size so it works well in small spaces. 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 used for topiary. It tolerates poor, sandy, and clay soils prefer shade, and is tolerant of pollution. It is intolerant to alkaline soils. It may be easily transplanted and has a slow growth rate.

The species is dioecious and both male and female plants are required to produce flowers and fruits.

This low-maintenance evergreen should be considered for planting in groups for borders, hedges, or added to foundation plantings.

Seasons of Interest:

Foliage:  Year-round

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,

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.