Compact Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’

Compacta Holly is a dense, slow-growing evergreen shrub with small, glossy dark green leaves and a naturally rounded, compact habit. Its fine-textured foliage gives it a polished appearance similar to boxwood, making it a popular choice for low hedges, borders, foundation plantings, and formal landscapes. Small white flowers appear in spring, followed by dark berries on female plants when a compatible male holly is nearby.

Easy to shape and highly adaptable, Compacta Holly performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and appreciates consistent moisture during establishment. Its compact growth habit and year-round foliage make it a dependable choice when you want evergreen structure without a large footprint.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–8
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Water Requirements: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but should not remain soggy
• Growth Rate: Slow
• Mature Size: 4–6 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Foliage Type: Evergreen
• Maintenance: Low; prune in late spring or early summer as needed to maintain shape
• Soil Preference: Well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter
• Landscape Uses: Low hedges, foundation plantings, borders, formal gardens, mass plantings, containers
• Deer Resistance: High