Glow Stick Holly
Ilex crenata ‘Glow Stick’Glow Stick Japanese Holly is a striking evergreen cultivar known for its columnar form and radiant golden foliage that resists fading, even in full sun or winter chill. It maintains a tidy, upright habit naturally without shearing, making it ideal for narrow spaces, modern landscape designs, and accent plantings.
Its fine-textured leaves and refined silhouette offer a fresh alternative to traditional green hollies or boxwood replacements. Glow Stick is especially valued for its consistency in color and form across seasons and its adaptability to both containers and beds.
The plant blooms in late spring with subtle white flowers, rarely matured to berries in garden settings. It is primarily grown for its foliage and structural presence. Its evergreen nature and vibrant tone make it an excellent focal feature in formal or contemporary landscapes.
care instructions
Planting:
Use full sun to part shade on well‑drained, acidic, fertile soil. Plant at the same depth as the nursery container and space plants about 12 inches apart for hedges or groupings.
Watering:
Keep soil evenly moist during the first two years. After establishment, valleys can tolerate light dry spells but benefit from deep watering in hot, dry periods.
Pruning:
Minimal pruning is required. If shaping is needed, prune lightly in late winter or just before new growth appears. Avoid heavy shearing to preserve natural columnar shape.
Pest Control:
Generally low-maintenance and pest-resistant. Watch occasionally for spider mites or scale, treating with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if necessary.
Soil Tips:
Performs well in clay, loamy, or sandy soils when drainage is adequate. Slightly acidic soil preferred. Amending with compost and using shredded bark mulch helps retain moisture and maintain soil structure.
