Ilex crenata Luxus Globe - Crenate Holly

The Ilex crenata 'Luxus Globe' is a new variety of crenate holly with a naturally compact and rounded habit, resembling a miniature boxwood. This evergreen non-prickly bush bears small rounded leaves with a beautiful glossy green color, remaining persistent throughout winter. It is a male cultivar that does not produce berries. Very hardy and disease-resistant, it thrives in poor limestone soil, preferably moist, in full sun or partial shade. Perfect for borders or in a pot on the terrace, and great for topiary!

Crenate holly is a shrub native to Japan and belongs to the Aquifoliaceae family. The 'Luxus Globe' variety is a Dutch selection from 2017. It has a moderately fast growth rate, with a compact and rounded habit, reaching an average height of 60 cm with a spread of 50 cm. It is also characterised by its small, rugged, flat leaves of a relatively dark green colour, crenate, glossy, and non-prickly. All hollies are dioecious plants, meaning there are individuals with male flowers and female individuals. Only the female ones bear fruits. 'Luxus Globe' Japanese holly is a male cultivar that does not bear fruit.

With a faster growth rate than boxwood and malleable to everyone's whims, Ilex crenata 'Luxus Globe' will satisfy gardeners who appreciate well-maintained hedges and plant sculptures. It is perfect for low-monospecific hedges. 'Luxus Globe', with its beautiful ball shape, is well-suited for planting in pots before a house entrance or on the terrace. It will also be very interesting for borders or topiaries.

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