Steeds Holly

Botanical Name: Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’

Common Name: Steeds Japanese Holly

Mature Height and Width: 6–8' tall × 4–5' wide

Growth Habit: Upright, narrow pyramidal evergreen shrub with dense branching. Maintains a naturally refined vertical form without heavy shearing. Moderate growth rate.

Foliage Description: Small, oval, smooth-edged leaves with a deep glossy green color. Dense foliage creates a fine-textured appearance and strong evergreen structure. Evergreen in Zones 5–8.

Flower Description: Small white flowers in late spring; inconspicuous. Female plants may produce small black berries if pollinated, though fruiting is typically light in landscape use.

Bloom Time: Late spring

Fall Color: Evergreen; retains dark green coloration through winter.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; best density and color in full sun.

Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 5–8

Notable Landscape Uses:
Narrow foundation plantings; low privacy screens; formal hedges; driveway edge accents; framing entryways; structured background planting in mixed shrub beds; commercial landscape structure.

Deer Resistance: Moderate
Japanese holly is generally not a preferred deer browse, though light tip browsing may occur in winter under heavy pressure. Established plants typically experience minimal long-term damage in Zones 5–7.