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How to Grow Cuspidata

Cuspidata

Ilex crenata 'Cuspidata'

shrub

Cuspidata is a compact, evergreen holly cultivar with small, dark green leaves and a dense, upright growth habit. This hardy shrub is prized for ornamental landscaping, topiary, and hedge applications due to its fine texture and ability to tolerate pruning. It produces small white flowers followed by black berries on female plants.

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Example Cuspidata timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Cuspidata

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Cuspidata

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cuspidata dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade, with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best appearance
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice weekly during growing season; reduce in winter. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Spacing: 18-24 inches
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Days to maturity: Slow-growing; 2-3 years to establish landscape presence
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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury stem

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil
pH: 5.0-6.5
Amendments:
Peat moss or compost for moisture retention Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Mulch to maintain consistent moisture

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

6-12 months

Young plant focuses on root development with minimal above-ground growth

Keep soil consistently moist, avoid fertilizing first year, protect from wind stress, maintain mulch layer

2

Vegetative Growth

1-2 years

Compact, upright growth with dense foliage production and fine-textured branching

Begin light shaping pruning in late winter/early spring, fertilize in early spring with balanced fertilizer, maintain consistent moisture

3

Flowering

4-6 weeks in spring

Small white flowers appear at leaf axils in spring; female plants develop small round berries

Minimal intervention needed; flowering indicates plant maturity and health

4

Berry Development

Summer through winter

Female plants produce glossy black berries that persist through fall and winter

No special care needed; berries provide wildlife food and ornamental interest

5

Dormancy

November-February

Reduced growth activity in winter; foliage remains dark green and attractive

Reduce watering but ensure soil doesn't dry completely; avoid heavy pruning

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Boxwood Yew Japanese Pieris Azalea Rhododendron Hosta Ferns

Avoid planting near:

Salt-tolerant plants in non-salt areas (this plant is salt-sensitive) Walnut trees (juglone allelopathy)

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe; increase humidity

  • Prune affected branches; treat with horticultural oil in dormant season; use insecticidal soap in growing season

  • Remove affected leaves; apply systemic insecticide in spring; maintain plant health

  • Prune out webs by hand; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; remove affected branches

  • Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; improve soil aeration; remove affected plants if severe

Uses

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Landscape and Topiary

Ornamental

Cuspidata's compact, dense growth habit and fine foliage texture make it ideal for formal hedges, topiaries, and ornamental landscaping. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest and structure in gardens. [source]

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Pollinator and Bird Food

Wildlife

The spring flowers attract pollinators, and female plants produce berries that provide food for birds throughout fall and winter months. This makes it a valuable shrub for wildlife gardens. [source]

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Hedge and Screening

Household

The upright, compact growth allows Cuspidata to be used effectively as a formal hedge screen or privacy barrier with regular pruning. It maintains a neat appearance with minimal maintenance once established. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cuspidata is not harvested for food or traditional materials. Branches may be cut for ornamental arrangements or topiary purposes in late winter or early spring. Cut no more than one-third of plant material at a time to maintain health and shape.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Cuspidata is a cultivar of Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), which is the smallest-leaved holly species and has been cultivated in Japan for centuries for bonsai and topiary
  • 🌱 Unlike many hollies, Japanese holly is dioecious, meaning you need both male and female plants nearby for berry production on females
  • 🌱 This shrub is very responsive to pruning and can be shaped into virtually any ornamental form, making it a favorite choice for formal gardens and European landscape design

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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