Ilex rugosa

Ilex rugosa, the tsuru holly, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aquifoliaceae, native to southern Khabarovsk Krai, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands in Russia, and to eight mountain summits in Japan.[2][1] It is usually quite prostrate (growing ever lower with increasing altitude) and does well in areas with protective winter snow cover to prevent damage from late frosts.[1]

Ilex rugosa
Cruciform flowers are inconspicuous.
Fruit are large for a holly.[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Aquifoliales
Family:	Aquifoliaceae
Genus:	Ilex
Species:	I. rugosa
Binomial name
Ilex rugosa F.Schmidt
Synonyms[2]
Ilex rugosa var. hondoensis T.Yamaz. Ilex stenophylla Koidz.

Because of its cold-hardiness, Kathleen Meserve crossed it with Ilex aquifolium (common holly) and produced hybrids dubbed the "blue hollies" and later given the scientific name Ilex × meserveae.[3] Two of these hybrid shrubs, sold as clones, have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3] 'Conapri' (trade name Blue Princess) is female.[4] 'Conablu' (trade name Blue Prince) is male and grows a bit taller than 'Conapri', perhaps 2 m (7 ft) at maturity.[5][3]