Tarajo Ilex latifolia

Ilex latifolia, or Tarajo Holly, is a large, densely pyramidal evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 23 feet tall. Tarajo Holly is native to southern Japan and eastern and southern China and is often found growing in broad leaf forests. The genus name, Ilex, comes from the Latin Quercus ilex for holm oak and refers to the similarity in the shape of the leaves. Latifolia is Latin for broad leafed.

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, including clay. Tarajo Holly can be pruned to manage its size and it tolerates drought, shade, air pollution, poor soils, and clay soils and is easy to transplant. It does have a slow growth rate 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 required). It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile. This plant has large, shiny leaves (the largest of any holly) and is an excellent evergreen specimen, hedge, or espalier. The cultivar 'Mary Nell' produces a heavy set of red fruit. The fruits are on short peduncles in axillary clusters of surrounding stems and leaves are used in orient for tea.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

This plant has no serious pests. Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests.  Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow.

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