Heller's Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata 'Helleri'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Heller's Japanese Holly - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
Click Here to learn more

Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Heller's Japanese Holly highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
-
Brand
-
Botanical Name
-
Growing Zones
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Spread
-
Sun ExposureFull Sun
-
Moisture
-
Soil
-
Growth RateSlow
-
Fall Color
-
Pollinator Friendly
-
Pollinator Required
-
Pruning Time
-
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring

Growing Zones 5-8
Define your garden! When it comes to hedges and broadleaf evergreens, most folks instantly think of the well-known Boxwood. However, few realize the amazingly wide variety available to them! Let Nature Hills introduce you to the Heller's Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata 'Helleri')! A dwarf, dense, multi-branched shrub that has all the benefits of a broad-leaved evergreen hedge plant without any of the detractors that can plague Boxwood in some parts of the country!
Compact, small dark-green leaves, slow-growing dwarf form, and a naturally rounded spreading habit, Heller's has so many benefits! Slower growing and low maintenance which for you, means less work! This female selection may produce few flowers, however, your early emerging pollinators and advantageous bees will enjoy them. Sparse flowering means few fruits, but the birds will find them. This broadleaf evergreen though is best known for its superior foliage.
Springs yellowish new growth fills in to become dark and shiny green for the remainder of the growing season. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 8, these are smaller-sized shrubs that can be sheared, pruned, and trained in any way your imagination has in store for it! When allowed to grow to its natural size, Heller's can reach 2-4 feet high and spread 3-4 feet wide.
How to Use Heller's Japanese Holly In The Landscape
Heller's Japanese Holly is used in front of the garden borders and as a facer plant of taller shrubs and foundation plants, to hide bare stems or 'legs'. Their tidy form gives clean outlines for your garden plots with a neat green barrier. Providing definition and clean visual lines between lawn and garden bed.
Naturally low-growing and maintenance-free, Heller's creates verdant blocks of color as mass plantings. Plus, they can be sheared as neatly and cleanly as you need! Small enough for larger planters as a thriller planting, even balconies and patios can enjoy these minimal maintenance shrubs! Manicured urban courtyards or country cottage gardens alike gain definition and lush backdrops with year-round color and interest.
For low formal and informal hedges, Heller's is a great plant for beefing up the dreary winter landscape! There really aren't many applications where this hardy landscape plant won't improve with its presence. The natural arching stems of unpruned plants have a graceful, playful look. Really standing out when used as an accent plant or specimen. Liven up a rock garden or top your rock walls with easy-care evergreens. Heller's also withstands heavy shearing and pruning and can be used for topiary!
- Broadleaf Evergreen With Yellowish New Growth
- Tiny Greenish-White Blooms
- Small Black Berries on Female Plants - Grown For Foliage
- Dense Dwarf Form - Great Topiary Plant
- Urban Conditions & Pollution Tolerant
- Versatile Containers & Landscape Use
#ProPlantTips For Care
It's important that Heller's Japanese Holly receives regular waterings during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Tolerant of both full sun and part shade without losing any coloration. Heller's is tolerant of pollution, urban and city environments won't phase this tough plant! Heller's really performs their best in any well-drained soil but since they are so highly adaptable they even tolerate poor, sandy, and clay soils! This plant performs best in even moisture and acidic soils. The dense mound, full of charming small leaves, this Holly really doesn't require pruning. However, when pruning is needed, it's best done in very early spring before you see new growth.
- Full Sun or Part Shade
- Highly Adaptable to Any Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate Moisture Needs
- Versatile Landscape Use
- Shear to Any Size or Shape-Late Winter/Early Spring
- Seldom Damaged By Deer
Evergreen shrubs are the keystone element for most landscape designs! Bring definition and elegant clean lines to your gardenscape by calling Nature Hills to order yours today! You'll receive amazing landscape appeal and easy-care evergreen with the addition of Heller's Japanese Holly!