Cast-iron plant might sound like a strange name for a tropical evergreen, but once you realize how exceptionally tough this plant is, you’ll understand the label.Aspidistra elatior is incredibly tolerant of neglect. Dro
12.06.2023 - 01:10 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren
How to Grow and Care For Japanese Holly Ilex crenataDealing with a difficult area in the garden? I’ve been there.
I once had a group of Japanese hollies growing next to my patio and I made the very stupid, no-good decision to pull them out to plant something with showier flowers.
Nothing I planted in that spot ever did well, and believe me, I tried a lot of plants. The soil was clay and the light exposure wasn’t ideal. Plus, I missed the winter color the evergreens provided.
You live and you learn (or just learn from my mistakes).
Since then, whenever I need to fill a challenging spot, one of the first plants I turn to is Japanese holly.
Unlike other plants in the Ilex genus, these beauties don’t have spiny leaves, so you can place them in areas where you might brush up against them without coming away scratched and scarred.
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These evergreens come in solid or variegated cultivars and with foliage that can range from pale gray-green to deep, dark green, and some with yellow or cream accents.
Sound like something you’d like to add to your garden? Here’s what we’ll go over in the following guide so you can be sure yours will thrive:
Did I forget to mention that these shrubs are rarely bothered by pests or diseases? Troubled by deer or rabbits? Not Japanese holly.
Can you tell I’m a fan? You will be too, so let’s dig in.
Cultivation and HistoryNative to Japan and other parts of East Asia, this species thrives in moist woodland and mountain areas in full or part sun.
It prefers acidic soil but it’s fairly tolerant of a range of soil conditions and pH levels. If you struggle to find plants that can survive in your heavy clay
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