Ilex crenata Fastigiata - Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata Fastigiata is a variety of crenate holly with a particularly narrow and columnar habit, which can be used in the garden as a miniature boxwood or yew. This evergreen, non-prickly shrub has beautiful small, rounded, glossy green leaves and can be shaped in any way, whether in the ground or in a pot. The female plants produce pretty black berries from September to March. While it is very hardy and grows faster than boxwood, it still requires a moist limestone-free soil, and a sheltered location to thrive. Often used in Japanese gardens, it allows you to experiment with your topiary art!

The crenate holly is a shrub native to Japan, belonging to the Aquifoliaceae family. The 'Fastigiata' variety, of moderately fast growth with a particularly narrow habit, reaches an average height of 2.5 to 3m (8 ft 2 in to 9 ft 10 in) and a spread of 80cm (31.5 in). It is also distinguished by its small, leathery, fairly dark green, crenate, non-prickly and glossy leaves. All hollies are dioecious plants, meaning that there are separate male and female plants bearing flowers. Only the female plants bear fruits. The female Fastigiata holly produces insignificant but nectar-rich small flowers in spring, with a matte white colour, which will form fleshy and round berries of a shiny black colour.  These only appear after fertilization by a male holly planted nearby. Recognizing the sex of the flowers requires a trained eye; they all have four white petals and their surface is waxy, but the male flowers are recognizable by their four prominent yellow anthers, while the female flowers have a short, oval, green pistil. The same shrub can produce both male and ineffective female flowers, which cannot be pollinated. The seeds are dispersed by birds that love the fruits.

Growing faster than boxwood, Ilex crenata Fastigiata will satisfy gardeners who appreciate neat hedges and topiary sculptures. It is perfect as a single variety, or a mixed hedge alongside Eleagnus, Laurustinus, Coroneaster lacteus, Photinia serratifolia or Mexican orange. It dislikes limestone soil which makes its beautiful foliage turn yellow, and prefers well-draining, fairly fertile soils. Hardy well beyond -15°C, it likes semi-shaded to shaded places, for example, under trees or on the edge of woodlands, in a large natural garden. When planted alone, shaped into a topiary or trained as a small tree, it becomes a feature in the winter. It can also be used in large pots. Plant it in Zen gardens alongside bamboo, Japanese maples, camellias...

Hollies are both loved and misunderstood plants. The genus includes nearly 800 deciduous or evergreen species, generally originating from the temperate northern hemisphere. These very ancient plants have experienced both glacial periods and dry and hot periods in our climatic history, which makes them extremely adaptable and resistant vegetation. Their wood, white to cream, is very low in water, even when green. It is dense and heavy, but soft and easy to work with in cabinet making. It is also an excellent fuel for heating, usable even when green. Finally, its foliage and berries (inedible) are rich in caffeine. A tea is prepared with its leaves in the Black Forest.