Plant Japanese Holly 'Steeds' (Ilex crenata 'Steeds') when you want a clean, upright evergreen that can be kept formal with pruning or allowed to grow into a natural, pyramidal outline. Its small, glossy leaves give it a fine texture that reads as a boxwood-like look from a distance, while staying distinctly holly up close.

Give it full sun to part shade for best density. In hotter regions, afternoon shade can help keep foliage looking its best. You will get the strongest growth in light, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil, but once established it can handle short dry spells better than many broadleaf evergreens. Avoid waterlogged sites and improve drainage in heavy soils before planting.

At maturity, it typically reaches about 72-96 inches tall, making it a strong choice for narrow screens, foundations, borders, and clipped hedges. It responds well to shaping and can be trimmed to maintain a crisp profile. Space plants with their eventual width in mind; even upright shrubs need room for air flow to reduce stress.

Water deeply during the first growing season to build a strong root system. After that, water during extended dry weather. A spring application of a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer can support steady growth, and a light mulch helps conserve moisture while keeping roots cooler. Keep mulch a few inches back from the stems.

In colder areas, plant where it is sheltered from drying winter winds, and avoid exposed locations that can cause leaf burn. With the right siting and routine care, you get a dependable, year-round green structure that works in both modern and classic landscapes.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 5-8 (-20 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun
• Growth rate: Slow
• Mature height: 72-96"
• Spread: 48-60"
• Tolerant of: Drought
• Evergreen: Yes

Shipping

FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know hpw to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- When We Ship
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns

Care