Round-Leaf Japanese Holly Ilex crenata 'Latifolia'

Round-leaf Japanese holly is a handsome evergreen in the Aquifoliaceae family and is a cultivar of Ilex crenata, a native of Japan and east Asia that can be found in thickets, woods and wet places in lowlands and mountains all over Japan. Round Leaf Japanese holly, like most of its species, tolerates heavy pruning and can be grown as a shrub or as a small tree left to grow to its maximum height of 20 feet. Whether as a shrub or tree, its form is dense, upright, and rounded and can be used for topiary.

Plant in the full sun to partial shade in acidic well-drained soil though it tolerates a wide range of soil types, from moist to dry. It tolerates drought, shade, air pollution, poor soils, sandy and clay soils and is easy to transplant. It does have a slow growth rate, is alkaline intolerant, and it may not thrive in areas with high heat and humidity (USDA zones 8 and 9). The species is dioecious meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant, thus both male and female plants must be grown if seed is desired. This cultivar is male although female plants may be sold under this name. It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to pests. Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests.  Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow.

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

More information on Ilex crenata.