Side by side
Holly or Japanese holly? How to tell them apart
Ilex aquifolium · Ilex crenata
You can tell a holly by its large, glossy leaves with spiny edges and its red berries; a Japanese holly has tiny, finely scalloped leaves of 1–3 cm without spines, and small black berries.
They are related, but you would never guess. Holly is a tree or tall shrub with spiny leaves of 5–10 cm; Japanese holly a low, dense shrub with leaves that look like box leaves, but alternate.
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| Holly | Japanese holly | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy dark green, 5–10 cm; wavy edge with sharp spines. Higher up the tree the leaves are often spineless. | Alternate, 1–3 cm, oval, finely scalloped, leathery and glossy dark green; without spines. |
| Flowering | May | Inconspicuous white flowers in May–June; male and female on separate plants (May–June). |
| Fruit | Red berries on female trees, from autumn into spring. Poisonous to humans. | Glossy black berries on female plants; not edible. |
| Bark | Smooth and grey, even on old trees. | Greyish-brown, densely branched twigs. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 3–15 m | Shrub, 1–3 m, usually kept low in gardens |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, acid soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | March–April and July–August | May–June and August–September |
The best feature in each season
- Spring
- Both flower in May–June with inconspicuous white flowers, male and female on separate plants. Bees visit the flowers of the holly.
- Summer
- The leaf remains the best feature: large, leathery and spiny on the holly, small, oval and spineless on the Japanese holly. High up in an old holly the leaves are sometimes smooth-edged.
- Autumn
- Female hollies carry red berries from autumn into spring; female Japanese hollies glossy black berries.
- Winter
- Both are evergreen. The red holly berries are at their best now and a winter larder for blackbirds and thrushes; the Japanese holly stays a dense, dark green ball or low hedge.
Where do they grow?
Holly is native and likes to grow in the shade of beeches and oaks, in woods and hedgerows. Japanese holly comes from Japan and grows here only in gardens and parks, mostly as a replacement for box.
Which one for your garden?
- For wildlife, holly is the better choice: native, with flowers for bees, berries for birds and a prickly, safe nesting place. As a hedge or a single tree it copes with sun and deep shade.
- Japanese holly makes a good low hedge or topiary instead of box, but it needs acid soil and cannot stand wet feet. Take care: holly berries are poisonous to people, especially children.
Did you know? Long before Christmas trees, people brought holly indoors in winter as a sign of life: today it is a classic Christmas decoration.
Read on
- Plant profile: Holly
- Plant profile: Japanese holly
- Holly: when and how to prune
- Japanese holly: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Box or Japanese holly
- Holly or cherry laurel
- Holly or Oregon grape
- Holly or holly olive
- Holly or holm oak