Ilex latifolia Tarajo, tarajo holly, lustreleaf holly

Tarajo (pronounced tarayo) is a large-leaved holly from southern Japan and southeastern China. It is considered a rarity and a collector's gem among evergreen shrubs everywhere outside its native region. No wonder, it was love at first sight for me, too. “Tarayo” means “many leaves” in Japanese and refers to its large leaves which can be up to 24 cm long and up to 8 cm wide. Although they are about a third smaller in our region, they still look like beautiful shiny jewels, and those who see this holly for the first time usually think it is a cherry laurel. The leaves are evergreen, dark green, very glossy, only gently serrated at the edges (non-prickly), and significantly stiffer than on cherry laurels.

It is dioecious, meaning each plant has either male or female flowers, never both sexes. It blooms in the first half of spring, and male flowers (abundant and more conspicuous) are identified by their long stamens with pollen, while female flowers (less conspicuous and smaller) have a pistil in the center for collecting pollen and can produce fruit after pollination. These fruits are bright orange red berries containing saponins, which can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities. For a profusion of berries on the female shrub, a male plant is needed in the immediate vicinity, but it can also be in a neighbouring garden or the same district – wherever bees or other insects with pollen can reach. One male shrub has enough pollen to pollinate 7-10 female shrubs.

In Central-European climate it grows moderately fast and forms relatively compact and rather upright shrubs or small trees. Its mature size significantly varies depending on the location. Its home has humid yet not extremely hot subtropical weather with mild temperatures, allowing it to grow large leaves and quickly reach a height of 10 meters or more, as it is long-lived. In continental conditions of the temperate zone, its mature size is estimated at about 6 meters high and about 4 meters wide, if not pruned. However, it can be shaped or kept smaller. You can trim all unnecessary, unsightly, and overly long branches in early spring before the buds burst. Optionally, you can trim the branch tips again in mid-summer to thicken the shrub and give it shape, but this is usually not necessary.

Grow hollies in full sun or partial shade; they will also grow in the shade but lose their shape there. They need acidic to neutral, light, and well-drained, very fertile soil (especially fruiting varieties) that will stay moist – they do not like prolonged drying out. Use quality mulch and keep it mulched all year round. Hollies generally do not favour typical Czech clay in the upper soil layers, so it is better to elevate plants, slightly above the original soil level. Use a mixture of original soil and high-quality acidic substrate to fill up the slope. On the contrary, they will be grateful for clay in the lower layers, where they will develop stronger roots later. Fertilization is essential in poor soils, and using mycorrhizal fungi during planting is even better. Before and during winter, if the ground is not frozen, water them. Tarajo holly is fully hardy to about -20°C and can withstand short-term fluctuations a few degrees lower (USDA zone 6).

Last update 31-12-2024