Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is a workhorse in our West Coast landscapes. It’s evergreen and mostly used as a hedge; and it performs this role very well.
Most West Coast landscapers interact with Japanese holly by power shearing it a few times a year to keep it shaped nicely. And that’s about it.
Surprise!
But wait, can this dependable shrub surprise you? Yes, it can! Incredibly, it surprised me last week after working for nineteen seasons in the field.
I was about to power shear a long hedge with my new Stihl HS 82T power shears- designed for precision pruning- when I noticed a lot of bees and other pollinators buzzing all around the hedge. So this wasn’t exactly the best day for power shearing. Not that I was worried about bee stings; I was more worried about the bees.
For more on bees please read the very interesting book by Hannah Nordhaus, “The beekeeper’s lament“. You will learn lots about bees.
Since I was on site by myself I could take a few minutes out of my work day to observe the bees. What were they doing in the hedge when there weren’t any obvious flowers to feed on?
Then I remembered my readings: inconspicuous flowers! That’s the surprise. Japanese holly produces tiny flowers which turn into drupes containing four seeds each.
Considering the responses to my Facebook posts, I’m not the only one to experience this wow moment. Several veteran landscape business owners had no idea that Ilex crenata flowered and produced fruits.
Judging from the number of insects flying around the hedge Ilex is extremely popular. The flowers eventually turn into dark drupes which contain four seeds.
I still can’t believe that it took me nineteen seasons in the field to finally stop and notice the small white flowers. Luckily the bees showed me the way and I was able to ‘steal’ some company time.
So next time you see Japanese holly in mid-June, get up close and examine its tiny white flowers. You’ll be glad you did. Follow the bees.
