Japanese Holly (Inu tsuge)

Japanese holly (Inutsuge) is a shrub that does not have any features. The leaves are small and dark green throughout the year. Flowers in summer does not stand out. Fruits that can be in the winter in the black, not noticeable from a distance.

Hedge of Japanese holly

However, it is essential as a shrub to create a "frame" of the Japanese garden. Sometimes it is as a hedge, sometimes it is pruned in geometric pattern.

At the Imperial Palace / Tokyo

In the Japanese garden, similar to the same kind of role Macranthum azalea (Satsuki).
However, the leaves of Japanese holly is more green and harder.

Leaves and flowers of Japanese Holly

The reason for Japanese holly is often used in Japanese garden, it growth is slow, the form is difficult to change, flowers and fruit is not conspicuous, is that it does not interfere with the main character (such as pine and plum)

Rarely take center stage