Japanese hollies are popular boxwood replacements, as they grow to form dense, low shrubs easily. This plant takes its cultivar name from its cupped, or convex, leaves.

The small round leaves found on Ilex crenata, would lead most gardeners to suppose that this is a member of the box family, but this is actually the Japanese holly. Found growing naturally in the ...

Ilex crenata 'Mariesii' grows into a wonderfully congested form of small leaves held tightly to the stem. It is one of many garden-worthy Japanese holly cultivars, but this particular selection is ...