Other Names:  Boxleaf Holly

Brand:  Iseli Nursery

Description:

An exceptional, naturally dwarf evergreen selection with a compact, rounded shape, ideal for massing and garden detail use; extra tiny leaves are cupped downward, looking like beads; takes pruning very well; does best in evenly moist, acidic soils

Ornamental Features

Geisha Japanese Holly is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. It features an abundance of magnificent yellow berries from early fall to late winter. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The tiny glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The smooth gray bark and yellow branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Geisha Japanese Holly is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Geisha Japanese Holly is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Geisha Japanese Holly will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a female variety of the species which requires a male selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.