Patti O Box Japanese Holly

Patti O Box® Japanese holly is the named selection Ilex crenata 'FARROWSK6', a compact evergreen with glossy, dark green foliage and a narrow, upright form. It brings year-round structure to smaller gardens, formal entries and containers, with white flowers in spring. ## Form and placement Published mature heights vary: [Proven Winners](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/ilex/patti-o-box-japanese-holly-ilex-crenata) lists 3–4 feet and [Spring Meadow Nursery](https://springmeadownursery.com/plantfinder/patti-o-box-46550) lists 4–5 feet; both describe a narrow plant about 1–2 feet wide. Use it as a space-saving specimen, a narrow hedge, or a vertical evergreen in a patio container. The breeder describes its habit as fastigiate, while the patent record describes it as narrowly pyramidal. ## Site and growing conditions Plant in full sun to part sun for the strongest foliage color and shape. It prefers moist, acidic soil with good drainage and average moisture; the [ColorChoice guide](https://www.provenwinnerscolorchoice.com/product/patti-o-box-japanese-holly/) says it needs regular water and does poorly in drought. Published hardiness is USDA Zones 6–8. The accepted species classification is in the holly family, Aquifoliaceae, according to [Kew’s Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:83193-1). ## Selection details The ColorChoice profile lists white spring flowers, dark green evergreen foliage, and the formal cultivar code. The [USPP 25,852 record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP25852P2/en) names ‘FarrowSK6’ and lists September 1, 2015 as its publication date. ## Maintenance Pruning is seldom needed to maintain the narrow outline. If shaping is desired, the ColorChoice guide recommends late winter or early spring; keep the root zone evenly moist, especially in containers, and avoid strongly alkaline soil, where chlorosis may occur.