Japanese Holly 'Soft Touch' 3 Gallon

Ilex crenata

A dense, mounded evergreen with small, glossy dark green leaves. Unlike its upright cousins, this Japanese holly only reaches 3 feet tall. Its tight clustered branches usually need no pruning. Individual plants may be male or female, with only females producing small black berries in late summer, if a male is nearby. Plant in well-drained, amended soil. Water well after planting; maintain 1 inch of water once a week the first year. Little pruning needed; shapes itself nicely. When necessary, prune in spring to early summer. Fertilize in early spring, mid-summer and fall with an acidic fertilizer. Follow label instructions. Mulch 2 inches to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature. Wrap in burlap or spray with Wilt-stop to protect from winter desiccation.

• Sun to Part Shade
• 2-3' h x 2-3' w
• Deer Resistant
• Evergreen