Summary
American holly (Ilex opaca) is an attractive broadleaf evergreen with high value to birds and numerous landscape uses. It normally reaches 15-30′ in cultivation, but can grow 50′ in natural settings. It can be pruned as a large hedge, grown as a specimen tree, or used for screening.
Dark green, spiny leaves provide a lovely backdrop for the red fruit that forms on female plants. American holly thrives in full to part sun, in medium to moist soils that are acidic, and well drained. American holly is pollution tolerant, making it suitable for urban conditions. A deep taproot system makes transplanting difficult, so proper siting is important. It combines well with flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida), mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), and pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides). Zones 5-9.
More Details
- Plant Type
large-shrub, tree - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-part-shade - Foliage Character
evergreen - Soil Moisture
average-to-moist - Flowering Period
late-spring - Soil PH
acidic - Flower Color
white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green - Other Common Names
Christmas Holly - Fruit/Seed Color
orange, red, yellow
Additional Information
Missouri Botanical Garden, Illinois Wildflowers, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center