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ILEX crenata 'Rocky Creek'

Image of Ilex crenata 'Rocky Creek'

James Burghardt

Family

Aquifoliaceae

Botanical Name

ILEX crenata 'Rocky Creek'

Plant Common Name

Japanese Holly, Rocky Creek Japanese Holly

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Japanese holly is a dense, slow-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub native to northeast Asia. The small, shiny, dark-green leaves resemble those of boxwood. Neither the white spring flowers nor the black berries that follow (on female plants) are ornamentally significant. Many cultivars are available, selected for habit, leaf color, hardiness, and other characteristics.

Japanese holly grows best in well-drained, moist, slightly acid soil in full sun to light shade, and benefits from an organic mulch such as pine needles or shredded bark. In hot, dry, or windy sites it is prone to leaf scorch and mite infestations. Its cultivars are useful for hedging, specimen plants, massing, mixed borders, and containers.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    2'-15' / 0.6m - 4.6m

  • Width

    2'-12' / 0.6m - 3.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring

  • Native To

    Eastern Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Tolerances

    Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Green

  • Fruit Color

    Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Edging, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No