Ilex crenata aka Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata, also known as Japanese holly or box-leaved holly, is a flowering plant in the Aquifoliaceae family. Native to eastern China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Sakhalin, this evergreen shrub or small tree can reach heights of 3-5 meters (rarely 10 meters) with a trunk diameter of up to 20 centimeters. The glossy dark green leaves are small, measuring 10-30 mm long and 10-17 mm broad, with a wavy margin and sometimes spines. The plants are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants, and produce white, four-lobed flowers. The fruit is a black drupe with a diameter of 5 mm, containing four seeds. Japanese holly thrives in acidic soil with a pH ranging from 3.7 to 6.0. This compact and dense evergreen shrub has glossy dark green foliage. It grows slowly and is a good alternative to boxwood, tolerating pollution well. In spring, small white flowers appear, followed by small black berries in autumn, although some varieties may produce white or yellow berries. Japanese holly plants resemble boxwood and are often used as hedges or foundation shrubs. They can range in height from 3 to 10 feet and have a rounded shape. It's important to choose a cultivar carefully as growth rates can vary. However, it should be noted that Japanese holly is considered invasive in the Lower Hudson Valley.