By Julie Christensen
Few landscape gardening plants are as various as Japanese Charles Hardin Holley ( Ilexcrenata).This shrub is an evergreen holly , with morose green , finely textured leaf , white flowers and contraband or violet yield . The shrub is not aboriginal to the U.S. , but is widely used in origination plantings or mixed bed . Japanese holly is recommended for U.S.D.A. industrial plant hardiness zones 6 - 8 .
Getting Started
Japanese holly is propagated from carving and most gardeners start with plants purchased at a baby’s room . For serious flowering and compact growth , plant Japanese Holly in full sun . In tone , it can become long-legged . Japanese holly prefers a slimly acidic soil , although it tolerates a achromatic to more or less alkaline pH.
If you live in a cold climate , flora Japanese holly in a protect area , such as near a sign of the zodiac or amongst bombastic trees and shrubs . Amend the soil with spate of compost , manure and peat moss to meliorate drainage . Peat moss also lowers the grunge pH slightly if your soil is alkaline .
water system ofttimes to keep the soil moist , but not soggy . An constituent mulch , such as bark or wood check , is a good estimate to conserve moisture and keep weed growth down . Mulches also protect the ascendant from injury in the winter . Spread no more than 2 to 4 inch of Ellen Price Wood chip mulch on the ground around the plant .
CC flickr photo by Mom the Barbarian
Do n’t forget to water Nipponese holly in late fall and again throughout the winter during ironic atmospheric condition . In the wintertime , water anytime the ground is bare and there has been no rain or snow melt . Water when day time temperatures are above 45 point . In cold areas , envelop the shrubs with burlap to forestall wintertime burn . take away the burlap as soon as temperatures start to warm up in the spring .
Japanese Charles Hardin Holley do n’t need frequent pruning , but they tolerate severe pruning if you need a compendious form or trimmed hedge flavor . Cut the bush back to lateral tips in late winter or early leap .
Japanese Holly Pests and Disease
Unfortunately , for all their positive property , Nipponese hollies are subject to many pests and diseases . Your skilful defense , of course , is a good offense . Buy disease - resistant varieties and keep Japanese Holly healthy so they ’re better able to resist off job , which let in :
Varieties
Nipponese hollies array in sizing from 3 invertebrate foot to 10 feet magniloquent , depending on the variety . They resemble boxwoods , with their small , lustrous leaves . Unlike other holly , Japanese hollies have no spines . Below are a few to view :
To learn more about holly , confabulate the following internet site :
Hollyby Clemson University
Black Root Rot of Japanese Hollyby Virginia Cooperative Extension
When she ’s not write about horticulture , food and canning , Julie Christensen enjoys spending time in her garden , which include perennials , vegetables and fruit trees . She ’s written hundreds of gardening article for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several e - books .
