Evergreen Shrubs (Non-Flowering) – Soft Touch Holly

Botanical name: llex crenata ‘soft touch’

Beginner friendly?:

Average size at maturity: 2-3 ft in height and in width

Hardy zone: zones 5-9

Foliage color: green

Growth rate: grows 6-12 inches per year

Pruning instructions: prune in the fall or winter to remove dead limbs and maintain desired shape and size

Propagation methods: cuttings

Landscape use: low hedge or boarder

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day

Special features: compact shape and size, produces non-edible black berries in the fall, attracts wildlife

Watering instructions: requires weekly deep watering

Fertilizing instructions : use a general all purpose fertilizer once a year in either the early spring or the early fall

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: adapts to all kinds of soil, lies acidic soil

Companion plants: azaleas, clematis, heucheras

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and pets if ingested

Invasive species: no