Origin
The Ilex crenata, also known as the Japanese holly, is a plant species that originally comes from East Asia. It is particularly found in Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia and China. The natural habitat of this plant varies from forests and forest edges to mountain and lowland grasslands in a temperate climate.

Characteristics
The Ilex crenata is an evergreen shrub that grows in width and can reach a height between 2 and 3 meters. The leaves of this plant are small, shiny, oval to elliptical in shape with a wavy edge. The flowers are usually a pale yellow colour, while the fruits are small, black, and spherical. Moreover, this species enhances biodiversity as it provides an important food source for various bird species.

Care
The Ilex crenata prefers sun to partial shade and thrives in most soil types, but optimally grows in fairly moist, well-draining clay or sandy soil. Although it proves hardy against various conditions of drought and cold, care should be taken to protect it from strong winds. It is advisable to prune in spring or autumn and fertilise in early spring and early summer.