Ilex crenata Golden Gem - Japanese Holly

The 'Golden Gem' Ilex crenata is a variety of Japanese Holly  with an interesting compact and spreading habit, as well as bright foliage which is golden from October to March. This small shrub stands out in winter when other plants are dormant. This relation of the holly is a small evergreen shrub that tolerates pruning very well, and can be used to replace boxwood in landscaping. Its small size and natural elegance make it particularly suitable for small gardens and container gardens. The Japanese holly is easy to grow in loose soil, not too chalky but slightly acidic, in full sun or partial shade.

The Japanese holly, in Latin Ilex crenata, is a shrub native to Japan that belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family, just like the common holly. The 'Golden Gem' variety, as its name suggests, has been selected for its yellow leaves. It is a slow-growing shrub, especially during the establishment phase which lasts 2 to 3 years. This variety has a bushy, highly branched, low, wide, and dense habit. The branches tend to grow horizontally, giving the unpruned shrub a broad cushion-like silhouette. At maturity, when allowed to grow freely, it will reach an average height of 80 cm (31.5 in) to 1 m (3 ft 4 in) with a spread of 1 m (3 ft 4 in) to 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in). Its tiny leaves are 1 cm (0.4 in) long round and leathery.  They are golden when they emerge and turn green in summer. They are slightly glossy and non-prickly. All hollies are dioecious plants, meaning there are male plants with male flowers and female plants with female flowers. Only the female plants produce berries. The Golden Gem Japanese holly is a female clone. It produces small inconspicuous flowers in May-June, but they are nectar-bearing and matte white in colour. After fertilisation by a male holly planted nearby, they will develop into fleshy, round berries that are shiny black and 6 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. The seeds are dispersed by birds that love the fruits.  

With faster growth than boxwood, Ilex crenata Golden Gem will please gardeners who love contemporary style, French gardens, well-maintained hedges, and topiary. It is perfect in a container on the terrace or balcony. Undemanding, it dislikes excessive sunlight and limestone soils, and prefers well-drained, loose, deep, and fairly fertile soils. Hardy well beyond -15°C, it likes partially shaded to shaded areas, for example under trees or facing east. Planted alone, shaped into topiary, or trained as a small tree, it is particularly striking in winter. Plant in Zen gardens alongside dwarf bamboos, Japanese maples, camellias... Its association with Mexican orange trees and bushy honeysuckles (Lonicera Nitida, Lonicera pileata) is also interesting for creating the persistent structure of a border.