
Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata Soft Touch
Soft Touch Japanese Holly is an elegant evergreen shrub providing year-round beauty and structure to any landscape.
Size
Installation
About this plant
Ilex crenata 'Soft Touch' lives up to its name with exceptionally smooth, spineless leaves that resemble boxwood but offer superior disease resistance. This compact, densely growing evergreen maintains a naturally neat, rounded form, making it a low-maintenance choice for formal and informal garden designs. Ideal for foundational plantings, low hedges, or even container gardening, its petite, dark green foliage provides a sophisticated backdrop for flowering plants or acts as a refined border. While inconspicuous white flowers appear in spring, they transform into charming black berries in fall, adding subtle seasonal interest. 'Soft Touch' is a versatile and durable shrub, thriving in a variety of conditions and offering excellent cold hardiness. Its refined texture and consistent color make it a premium selection for those seeking enduring beauty with minimal effort.
Care & maintenance
Requires minimal pruning to maintain its attractive shape. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Protect from harsh winter winds in exposed locations.
Quick facts
- Type
- evergreen
- Mature height
- 2-3 ft
- Mature width
- 2-3 ft
- Sun
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Water
- Medium; keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods, but avoid waterlogging.
- Growth rate
- Slow to Moderate