Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata
- Native to:
- China, Hainan, India, Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan, Vietnam
KENPEI
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- Ilex crenata
- USDA Symbol:
- ILCR2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Abbot's Bagworm Moth (Oiketicus abbotii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers organic matter-rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and take up to two years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.