Ilex pedunculosa (01/04/2015, Nezu Museum, Tokyo, Japan)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 6m
Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Ilex pedunculosa is a slow growing, evergreen shrub with an upright habit. Its mid green, leathery leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 8cm long and 3cm broad. Its silver/ gray bark is smooth. Its white flowers are four lobed, cross shaped, up to 7mm across and are arranged in cymes. Its fruit is a red drupe, up to 12mm across, appear on long stalks and persists on the plant throughout the winter months. Male and female plants must be planted for the female plants to produce berries.
Ilex pedunculosa, commonly known as Longstalk Holly, is native to Japan, Korea south China. In its native habitat it grows in mountainous thickets and woodlands.
The etymological root of the binomial name Ilex is derived from the old Latin name for the Holly. Pedunculosa is derived from the Latin meaning ‘with many conspicuous peduncles’.
The landscape architect may find Ilex pedunculosa useful as a small evergreen tree suitable for planting in light shady locations. The tree may be planted as a hedge. This tree is very tolerant of air pollution. The female plants produce attractive winter berries, it should be noted male specimens should be present for this to occur.
Ilex pedunculosa Leaf (01/04/2015, Nezu Museum, Tokyo, Japan)
Ecologically, Ilex pedunculosa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The berries are attractive to some bird species.
Ilex pedunculosa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Ilex pedunculosa requires little maintenance.
