Ilex maximowicziana Kanehirae

Ilex maximowicziana ‘Kanehirae’ is a little-known variety of Japanese holly, despite being a good alternative to box. It forms an evergreen bush with an upright and dense habit. It has a faster growth rate than Ilex crenata, reaching approximately 2m (7ft) in height and 1.5m (5ft) in width. It bears shiny green ovate leaves. It is a versatile plant, suitable for planting in the ground and in containers. Female plants produce beautiful black berries from September to March. Very hardy, it requires lime-poor, rather moist soil, and a location sheltered from the scorching sun for optimal growth. Often used in Japanese gardens, it provides an opportunity to try your hand at topiary art!

Ilex maximowicziana is native to Japan, belonging to the Aquifoliaceae family. The variety ‘Kanehirae’, sometimes marketed under the name Ilex aquifolium 'Mutchagara', has a moderately fast growth rate, with an upright and dense habit, eventually reaching 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) in height and about 2m (7ft) in width. Its small, tough, ovate leaves are a fairly dark glossy green. They are serrated, but not prickly. They measure between 4 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in length. All hollies are dioecious plants, meaning there are plants bearing male flowers, and plants bearing female plants. Only the latter bear fruit. The female ‘Kanehirae’ produces small, inconspicuous but nectar-rich flowers in spring, which are a matte white and will form, after fertilisation by a nearby male holly, a fruiting in the form of shiny black, fleshy, round berries. Recognising the sex of the flowers requires a trained eye; they all have four white petals and their surface is waxy, but the male flowers can be identified by their 4 protruding stamens with yellow anthers, while the female flowers have a short, ovate, green pistil. The same bush can produce both male flowers and atrophied female flowers, which cannot be pollinated. The seeds are dispersed by birds who love the fruit.

Growing faster than boxwood and Ilex crenata, and easily shaped to everyone's whims, Ilex maximowicziana ‘Kanehirae’ will satisfy gardeners who love neat hedges and plant sculptures. It is perfect in a hedge, whether single species or mixed, with eleagnus, Viburnum tinus, Cotoneaster lacteus, Photinia serratifolia or even Mexican orange. It mainly fears lime which causes its beautiful foliage to yellow, and prefers well-drained, fairly fertile soils. Hardy well beyond -15°C (5°F), it likes semi-shaded to shaded places, for example under trees or on the edge of undergrowth, in a large natural garden. On its own, trained as topiary or grown as a small tree, it draws attention in winter. Plant ‘Kanehirae’ in Zen gardens along with bamboo, Japanese maples, and camellias.

Hollies are both beloved and little-known plants. The genus comprises nearly 800 deciduous or evergreen species, usually native to the temperate northern hemisphere. These very ancient plants have experienced the alternating glacial and dry, hot periods of our climate history, making them extremely adaptable and resilient plants. Their white to cream wood is very low in water, even when green. It is dense and heavy, but soft and easy to work in cabinet-making. It is also an excellent fuel for heating, even when green. Finally, its foliage and berries (not edible) are rich in caffeine. A tea is made with its leaves in the Black Forest.