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Round-Leaf Japanese Holly Ilex crenata 'Latifolia'

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks kre-NAH-tuh
Description

Round-leaf Japanese holly is a handsome evergreen in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). 

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 has a slow growth rate, is alkaline intolerant and may not thrive in areas with high heat and humidity (USDA zones 8 and 9). This cultivar is male, although female plants may be sold erroneously under this name.

Round-leaf Japanese holly, as with most Ilex crenata cultivars, 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.

This cultivar is appropriate for a winter, Asian, English, or drought-tolerant garden.

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

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

More information on Ilex crenata.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#winter interest#air pollution tolerant#topiary#easy to transplant#poor soils tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#pruning tolerant#alkaline soils intolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#winter interest#air pollution tolerant#topiary#easy to transplant#poor soils tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#pruning tolerant#alkaline soils intolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Species:
    crenata
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Nepal to Temperate East Asia, Japan and Korea
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The small fragrant flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    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: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Pyramidal
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
    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 Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    This male cultivar does not produce fruits.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    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 a dull greenish-white and 3/8 inch in length. Inflorescence is pistallate, a cyme, in leaf axils of current season's growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    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:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Relatively large leaves are alternate, simple, obovate, and between 3/8 to 1 inch long. They are minutely toothed on the margins with 11 to 16 teeth. The underside is dotted with blackish pellucid glands. Some leaves are slightly convex while others are not.
  • 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 current season of growth, turning gray-green to gray-brown by year 2 or 3. Young stems are often densely pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Hedge
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Pollution
    Poor Soil