Kashi Holly: Ilex chinensis

Common Names: Kashi Holly, Ilex chinensis, 米冬 (mǐ dōng), Ilex purpurea, 冬青 (dōng qīng)
Native Origin: China, Japan

LEAF STRUCTURE
Leaf blade usually oblong-elliptic

FLOWERS
The Kashi Holly exhibits purple flower. Blooming period begins from May to June.

CARE GUIDE

• very tolerant to full sun, very resistant to extreme heat and it’s drought tolerant; prefer full sun exposure but can grow in semi-shade environment.
• grows very well in fertile soil mix: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. Note: it is important to ensure good drainage.
• provide adequate water to keep the plant from drying out. However, do not allow the substratum from being excessively soaked with water; but do keep it moist.
• quite hardy (USDA Hardiness Zone 7) cold resistant up to approximately -5’C
• from Plants For A Future: the Kashi Holly “resents root disturbance, especially as the plants get older. It is best to place the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, perhaps giving some winter protection for their first year or two.”

PLANT FOOD
Feed nutrients every two weeks during its growing season and reduce feeding frequency to once a month during winter.

PRUNING x SHAPING
from Plants For A Future: “plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if required.”

PROPAGATION
According to Plants For A Future: seeds are “best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. It can take 18 months to germinate. Stored seed generally requires two winters and a summer before it will germinate and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. Scarification, followed by a warm stratification and then a cold stratification may speed up the germination time. The seedlings are rather slow-growing. Pot them up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame for their first year. It is possible to plant them out into a nursery bed in late spring of the following year, but they should not be left here for more than two years since they do not like being transplanted.

Alternatively, grow them on in their pots for a second season and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them a good mulch and some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of almost ripe wood with a heel, August in a shaded position in a cold frame. Leave for 12 months before potting up. Layering in October. Takes 2 years.”

PESTS x DISEASES
Watch out for aphids and scale insects.

INTERESTING NOTES
Plants For A Future: “This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. It is reported to have antitumor properties. An extract of the leaves is made into a solution and used for treating burns, ulcers in the lower extremities etc. The ashes of the leaves are used as a dressing for skin ailments and poisoned wounds. Seed is carminative and tonic.”