Ilex crenata Glory Gem - Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata Glory Gem - Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata Glory Gem - Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata Glory Gem - Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata Glory Gem
Japanese Holly, Box-leaved Holly, Box-leaved Ilex, Dwarf Holly
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Description
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.
Ilex crenata Glory Gem - Japanese Holly in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Planting and care
To plant Ilex crenata 'Glory Gem', add some compost to the soil and incorporate it into the topsoil of your garden (half and half if your soil is a bit low in organic matter). In heavy soil, incorporate some limestone-free coarse gravel at the bottom of the planting hole to create a draining layer, the holly should not have its roots soaked in winter! Plant in autumn or spring, outside of freezing periods, in the final location, as this species does not like to be transplanted.
Soak the holly's root ball in a bucket to thoroughly saturate it before planting, then water after filling the planting hole. Make sure to keep the soil moist during summer by watering when necessary. Starting from the second year, lightly fertilize, preferably with organic fertilizer in spring.
Ilex crenata 'Glory Gem' is sensitive to white scale insects in spring and aphids, inspect the foliage from time to time to be able to take action in time (use black soap treatment to wash the foliage).
For container or pot planting, choose a slightly acidic substrate (pH around 6.5) by adding some limestone-free sand (about 20%) to improve drainage. Regularly water throughout the season. Fertilize with slow-release fertilizers at the beginning of the season, choosing formulas that are not too rich in nitrogen.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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