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Growth Rate
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Slow to moderate, maintaining a compact, mounding shape.
Mature size: approximately 3–4 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide.
Naturally dense growth makes it ideal for low hedges or formal borders.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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Bees and beneficial insects visit the small flowers.
Provides cover for small birds and wildlife due to its dense structure.
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Seasonality
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Evergreen year-round, offering consistent color and structure in all seasons.
Flowers in late spring; foliage remains lush through winter.
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Ideal For
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– Low hedges, borders, foundation plantings, containers, and formal garden edges |
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Leaf Description
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Evergreen, small, glossy leaves that are rich green year-round.
Rounded and slightly convex with smooth edges, giving a refined, tidy appearance.
Maintains color and foliage density even through winter.
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Flower Description
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Tiny white flowers appear in late spring to early summer (May–June).
Fragrant but subtle, nestled close to the stems.
Not ornamental but beneficial for pollinators.
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Planting Instructions
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Select a site with full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal in depth.
Loosen the surrounding soil to promote strong root development.
Mix compost or peat moss into the backfill soil to improve aeration and moisture retention.
Set the plant so the crown sits level with the soil surface, then backfill and water deeply.
Apply a 2–3 inch mulch layer (pine bark, needles, or leaf mold) around the base to retain moisture and regulate temperature, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Space plants 2–3 feet apart for mass plantings or hedges.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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Requires minimal pruning; naturally grows dense and rounded.
If shaping is desired, prune in late spring or early summer after new growth has matured.
Remove damaged or crossing branches as needed to maintain shape.
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Water Needs
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Keep soil evenly moist but well-drained; water deeply during the first growing season to establish roots.
Once established, moderately drought tolerant but performs best with regular watering during prolonged dry periods.
Avoid waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot.
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Light Needs
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Performs best in full sun to partial shade (at least 4–6 hours of light daily).
Tolerates light shade but develops denser foliage and richer color in brighter light.
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Harvesting
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Does not produce berries; male cultivar.
Non-edible foliage; mildly toxic if ingested.
Low litter—excellent for tidy landscapes and hardscaped areas.
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Fertilizing
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Feed in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants (e.g., 10-6-4).
Optionally, apply a light compost dressing after pruning to boost nutrients.
Avoid overfertilizing, which can cause weak, leggy growth.
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Pollination
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Dioecious species — separate male and female plants.
Lucky Marble® is male, so it does not produce berries but can pollinate nearby female Ilex crenata cultivars.
Small flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
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Companion Plants
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Evergreens: Boxwood (Buxus microphylla), Juniper (Juniperus chinensis), or dwarf conifers for formal structure.
Flowering shrubs: Azalea, Rhododendron, or Hydrangea for seasonal contrast.
Perennials: Hosta, Heuchera, or ornamental grasses for texture at the base.
Landscape pairings: Excellent foundation plant or border companion alongside compact varieties like Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ or Pieris japonica ‘Cavatine’.
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