Ilex crenata Dwarf Pagoda

Ilex crenata ‘Dwarf Pagoda’ is a compact Japanese holly selected for its layered, tiered branching that creates a pagoda-like silhouette. This slow-growing cultivar develops a dense, sculptural form with small, glossy evergreen leaves that resemble boxwood but offer greater tolerance to pruning and shaping. It grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Hardy in USDA Zones 5–8, it remains relatively small over many years and is especially valued in formal gardens and Asian-inspired landscapes.