First Editions® Straight & Narrow® Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata ‘PIIIC-I’
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
First Editions® Straight & Narrow® 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.
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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
First Editions® Straight & Narrow® Japanese Holly highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring

Growing Zones 6-8
This strong architectural Holly will make you want to stick to the straight and narrow! The First Editions® Straight & Narrow® Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata 'PIIIC-I' PP29,578) retains its remarkable shape without any pruning or maintenance! The Straight & Narrow® Japanese Holly won't let your winter go gray. This broad-leaf evergreen will look stunning from fall to winter and back, again.
This shrub is prized for its shape and strength. While other columnar Hollies will drop their branches and begin to need maintenance after a storm or as they age, this one does not! It has been tested for years to confirm that its upright branches won't sag or droop. Imagine all the time you'll save not pruning this naturally tidy plant!
This male Japanese Holly is mess-free but does have little white blossoms that pollinators adore! This attractive shrub features small true-green glossy leaves. They are richly hued and flat for a tidy appearance. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 6 to 8 and can reach a 6-8 foot height while only growing 2-3 feet wide at maturity!
Planting and Application:
This strong and versatile columnar will become your first choice for architectural hedging or accent height. This shrub is perfect for screening, and marking the edge of your property line. One on each side of your front door will make for a grand statement.
Do you want to create a privacy screen around your pool deck? The Straight & Narrow®Japanese Holly is happy to do that!
Do you want a hedge that will look like you pay someone to trim it perfectly while you never have to lift a finger? The Straight & Narrow® Japanese Holly will do that, too!
Perfect for those tight spaces where you want a backdrop planting, or some screening along the narrow sideyard, this slender shrub is perfect for lining a pathway or along your driveway too!
Want a vertical thriller for year-round beauty in a large pot or planter or as a handsome container specimen? You need a Straight & Narrow®! This plant's upright and narrow shape makes it ideal for those narrow areas that need visual interest - even if those areas are on a porch, balcony, or patio!
- Upright, Columnar Shape
- Provides Winter Interest
- Broad-Leaf Evergreen Japanese Holly
- Tiny White Blossoms for Pollinators
- Mess-Free Male Holly
- Versatile Hedge, Specimen, Container Focal Point or Vertical Accent
#ProPlantTips for Care:
This ornamental broad-leaf evergreen shrub grows best in well-drained soil that is not too wet or too dry. It does best in full sun. This variety is a fruitless male, but it is grown for its small glossy foliage and excellent columnar form. Prune your Japanese Holly in late winter or early spring unless you are using them to pollinate female Ilex crenata, therefore wait until after flowering to trim up your shrubs. However, this tidy plant will rarely need any maintenance.
- Full Sun
- Moderate Moisture Needs
- Well-Drained Soil
- Appreciates Mulched Beds
- Prune If Needed In Late Winter/Early Spring
With a First Editions® Straight & Narrow® Japanese Holly, your neighbors will wonder where you find the time to keep your hedge so neat and tidy! This straight and narrow shrub will keep your secret and so will we. So, order yours today at Nature Hills and show off your landscaping artistry.