Ilex crenata Glory Gem - Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata 'Glory Gem' is a slow-growing female variety of shrub with a compact habit. As wide as it is tall, its small dark green, glossy, non-prickly leaves give it a Boxwood-like appearance, making it a great alternative in the garden. Its very dense evergreen foliage and excellent ability to be pruned make it ideal for topiary.  This small shrub thrives in sun or partial shade, in slightly moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil.

Ilex crenata, the species, is native to temperate regions of Asia (China, Japan, Russia). It was introduced to Europe in the 19th century and to France in 1895.
The shrub has rigid branches, small glossy green leaves with a convex shape, resembling the leaves of Boxwood, measuring 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1.2 in) long. In May-June, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers (5 mm (0.2 in)) appear. It is a dioecious plant, meaning each individual is either female or male. In autumn, the female plants produce small black shiny berries that last throughout the winter. In its native habitat, this species can grow over 5 m (16 ft 5 in) tall.
Many selected varieties have a much smaller growth, like Glory Gem, which reaches 1 m (3 ft 4 in) after 10 years of cultivation, or even 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) when fully grown, with an equivalent width. Its main asset is its very dense branches, with shiny dark green foliage, slightly dentate (crenate) leaves that do not exceed 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in). They are arranged on purple-green branches, naturally forming a bush as wide as it is tall.  This varierty has a tendency to get wider over time. Ilex crenata Glory Gem is a female clone with slow growth, only about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 in) per year.

This 'Glory Gem' holly can be pruned into a ball shape to enhance a classic garden or into a cube shape in a contemporary garden to create surprise. Its slow growth also makes it easy to maintain as a low hedge, surrounding a vegetable or herb garden. It also finds its place in a Japanese garden (it is a traditional plant in Japan). It can be paired with other plants with miniature foliage, like Azara microphylla, a large shrub for mild climates with small fragrant yellow flowers that stand out against the dark mass of foliage. It can also contrast with the large star-shaped white flowers of the magnificent Magnolia stellata, or with the massive leaves of the Hydrangea quercifolia, with its characteristic cut-out leaf shape that beautifully colours in autumn, while its equally imposing flowers bloom all summer long. Its modest dimensions also allow it to be grown in a beautiful decorative terracotta pot to enhance a terrace, or to fit in the curve of a pathway.