Japanese Holly

Characteristics

Fast growth plant, with smooth, green-gray coloured trunk; glossy, dark green leaves; the new sprouts, light green almost golden yellow in March/April, turn intense dark green in May/June. Blooms in June with little white flowers in clusters.

Care

Grows well in neutral or slightly acid pH soils, as long as well-drained; water regularly using non calcareous water; if grown in a container provide some protection from cold winter wind. Use a slow release fertilizer from March until September. Preventive disinfections with an acaricide from April until September are advised as well as a white oil treatment in winter.

Pruning

Starting from June and after the new vegetation has reached 15-20 cm. Prevent excessive apical dominance by pruning more frequently the apical shoots as well as the most vigorous ones, in order to preserve the lower or weaker branches.