Snow Flash Luster-leaf Holly. I first saw this variegated form of Luster-leaf Holly at Mr. Yamaguchi's nursery near Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. This is far up into the mountains of southern Japan which is probably a dependable zone 6. He often speaks of the feet of snow he receives each winter. This specimen was growing at the end of one of his greenhouses and it was truly magnificent. He allowed me to take cuttings then, and I have grown all of our plants from those original cuttings. The variegation is quite stable and I have never seen any reversions back to all green. The variegation is much more vivid on the newer growth, but becomes less vivid as the leaves harden. My largest plant which was grafted has finally flowered, and it is female. I was really surprised at this, even though the berries are not quite the size of the typical female of the species, but they are quite showy against the variegated foliage. Here in the Deep South it seems to be happiest when grown in morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered sun. The second picture is courtesy of Mike Chelednik.
Zones 6-9
