Ilex crenata 'Annys5' LUXUS^® GLOBE

Many people mistake Japanese holly for English box thanks to its small, evergreen leaves. This resemblance was also the main reason why it was chosen to become the hardy substitute for true box which is dying all around Europe as well as in the UK. Japanese holly a versatile, evergreen, and almost maintenance-free plant available in many varieties offering different shapes and sizes.

Japanese hollies with patent names Annys are bred by André van Nijnatten from Zundert in the Netherlands, and by 2021 4 varieties were registered. LUXUS^® GLOBE is one of them. Its evergreen leaves are small, broadly elliptic, very glossy, bright chartreuse as they emerge and medium to dark green when they mature. In mid spring opens a profusion of small, creamy white flowers serving plenty of bee food. It is a female variety so if pollinated by a male plant from nearby they are followed by small, black berries in autumn. They are not edible nor poisonous for people but contain saponins which cause severe discomfort if eaten in quantity. They are important bird food in winter. Stems are pale grey-green.

It grows about 10-15 cm per year and naturally forms dense, many-branched shrubs. You can use it like a box plant - in the same spot or a container or among other large-leaved, evergreen plants to which its delicate foliage will provide a great contrast. As every other Japanese holly it is ideal for bonsai making as well as for hedging. Despite its name LUXUS^® GLOBE it will have a shape you will train by pruning and trimming. It can be pruned and clipped in almost any way from early spring by end July. Patents: 43629 (2016 – Europe), PP29992 (2018 – USA), and 27854 (2017 – Japan).

Japanese holly is usually trouble-free, tolerates any soil apart from compacted (clay) and boggy, and can withstand summer dry spells once established. However, for best results and leaf colour grow it in medium fertile, moist but well-drained acid soil. Fully hardy to abt. -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update: 13-12-2021