Japanese Holly boasts glossy, deep green leaves with rounded edges, staying evergreen for year-round beauty

Ilex crenata, commonly known as the Japanese Holly, is a popular ornamental shrub valued for its evergreen foliage and dense growth habit. Here's what I know about its leaves:

Characteristics:

• Shape: Elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, typically 13-32 mm long and 6-16 mm wide.
• Color: Deep green and glossy on top, sometimes with small black dots underneath.
• Edge: Crenate-serrulate or serrulate, meaning they have rounded or fine-toothed edges, unlike the spiny leaves of other holly species.
• Arrangement: Alternate and densely packed on the stems.

Additional points:

• The leaves remain on the plant year-round, providing winter interest in gardens.
• New growth in spring may have a slightly lighter green color before maturing to the deeper shade.
• Some cultivars of Ilex crenata have variegated leaves with splashes of yellow, gold, or cream.
• The leaves are not considered edible for humans or animals.

Ref.:

• https://bard.google.com/