Ilex 'Little Rascal'Japanese Holly

This low-growing holly is ideal for smaller gardens, usually growing to a maximum of only 2 ft. Ilex 'Little Rascal' forms dense bushes with small, evergreen foliage that bear finely serrated, coppery-red margins. The foliage sometimes turns completely purple in winter.

Ilex 'Little Rascal' is a more user-friendly shrub than the common holly, since the leaves are spiky rather than thorny. This slow-growing shrub can be planted into containers and clipped into neat spheres to make topiary features for small courtyards, terraces and patios. Alternatively, plant it as a low hedge to divide up areas, or for low-maintenance, all-year-round structural planting.

Ilex 'Little Rascal' is a robust, undemanding shrub that grows in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils. In May, it bears small white male flowers. Although the flowers are inconspicuous, this non-berrying male clone makes an excellent pollinator for berrying female Ilex aquifolium and Ilex x altaclerensis cultivars growing nearby. Height: 60cm (24in). Spread: 90cm (35in).