Holly Ilex These are the evergreen varieties, deciduous hollies are covered in a separate section. With just a couple of exceptions, hollies are either male or female (a few have both male and female flowers). Only the female produces a berry, but males are necessary for berry production. (To complicate matters further, a few female hollies are parthenocarpic which means they can produce berries without being pollinated, but even those produce more berries when a male is present.) Any male holly can pollinate any female holly as long as their flowers are open at the same time, so with some hollies it is critical that you plant the correct pollinator. Most berries are red or black but there are some exceptions. Many of the Japanese hollies we use for hedges are males. They do not produce a berry but they tend to be stronger, more vigorous plants. English Hollies I. aquifolium Chinese Hollies I. cornuta Japanese Hollies I. crenata, I. latifolia American Hollies I. cassine, I. decidua, I. glabra, I. opaca, I. verticillata, I. vomitoria And there are multitudes of hybrids between the groups above. Hollies that are 6 tall and under. I. aquifolium - Dark green, glossy, somewhat wavy leaves with large spines. Female plants produce abundant red berries that persist through the winter. Most I. aquifolium cultivars grow taller than 6 so see more information below. Gold Coast (Monvila) A very attractive male cultivar with dark green leaves and a wide irregular golden yellow margin. Slow growing to 5 tall. I. cornuta The species can get quite tall to 20 or more. The leaves are heavily spined. The tip spine points down and the spines on either side of the tip point up like horns. Burford, Dwarf (Burfordii nana ) Dark green shiny leaves with a single spine at the leaf tip. Grows to 6 tall and produces heavy crops of large berries. One of the few hollies that have both male and female flowers. Carrisa A sport from a male Chinese holly, I. cornuta. Leaves have a single spine at the tip. Grows to 4 tall and 6 wide. No berries. Rotunda A dwarf Chinese holly to 4 tall and 6 wide. Foliage is heavily spined. Good security hedge. Few, if any, berries. I. crenata The Japanese hollies are often mistaken for boxwood because when you say holly, people immediately think thorns and to the untrained eye, the small thornless leaves look similar to boxwood. These make great foundation plants but they are susceptible to black root rot. Once a location is infected, it is nearly impossible to cure, so consider using some of the yaupon hollies (I. vomitoria) instead.
Beehive Small thornless, boxwood like leaves. Forms a mounding shrub to 3 tall. Often trimmed into cones or other shapes because of its tiny foliage. Dense, compact and slow growing. Bennett s Compact (Bennett s Compacta) Slower and more compact growth than compacta. Rounded overall growth to 4 tall and wide. Compacta Small dark green, boxwood-like foliage. Easily trimmed and maintained, makes a good short hedge plant. Can grow to 6 tall but usually less. Convexa A female cultivar with smaller leaves than compacta that are slightly concave. Can grow to 8 and twice as wide. Produces a small black berry. Drops of Gold New growth emerges golden yellow and turns green with age. Grows to 4 tall and 6 wide. Not a rapid grower. Geisha A compact selection chosen for its unusual yellow berries. Grows to 4 tall and wide. Girard Border Gem - A dwarf prostrate cultivar to 3 or less. Very dark green dense boxwood-like foliage and very hardy. Green Lustre - Dark green shiny leaves, grows more open than I. compacta. To 5 tall and 8 wide. Boxwood-like foliage. Heller s (Helleri) Tiny boxwood like leaves, dwarf plant, spreading growth to 3 tall and 4 wide. Heller s Black (Helleri Nigra) A dwarf compact selection with larger and darker green leaves than Helleri. Grows to 3 tall and 4 wide. Hetzi A compact selection of I. crenata convexa. Shears better, so it makes a better hedge, grows to 5 tall. Boxwood-like foliage. Hoogendoorn A dwarf cultivar to 3. Forms a small mound with softer texture than most Japanese hollies, looks best if not trimmed. Boxwood-like foliage. Rotundafolia - Larger boxwood-like leaves (about 1 ) than most of the Japanese hollies. Grows to 8 tall and wide. No berries. Soft Touch A selection of Japanese holly with softer boxwood-like foliage and stems. Makes a mounding shrub 2 tall and 3 wide. More attractive plant than I. crenata Helleri. Sky Pointer (Farrowone) A columnar selection that grows to 5 tall and 2 wide. Steeds An upright, pyramidal form of Japanese holly to 6. Very dense, compact growth, needs little trimming. I. glabra The inkberry is one of the few hollies that will withstand significant shade (although it is not as thick) and moist to wet locations. Dark green foliage lightens in the summer and females produce small black berries. Spreads by underground stems, so can form colonies if not controlled. Compact (Compacta) A dense smaller female form that is wider than tall. Grows to 4 tall and 6 wide. Black berries. Dense Inkberry (Densa) A compact form of inkberry that forms a mound about 4 tall and wide. Same dark green foliage and black berries as the species. Likes wet soil, tolerates full shade, but does not sucker as bad as larger specimens of inkberry. Nigra A selection chosen for its unusually dark green foliage and cold hardiness. Compact growth to 4 tall and wide.
Nordic (Chamzin) A compact male selection (no berries) with darker green leaves than most inkberries and it is slow to sucker. Grows to 4 tall and wide. Shamrock A dwarf inkberry that forms a mounded shrub 4 and wide. Evergreen foliage 1.5 long,.5 wide, small black berries. Spreads slowly by suckers. I. opaca Most of these American hollies are taller than 6 so see the description under that section. Clerondon This is one of the few small I. opaca cultivars. Large leaves to 4 long, heavily spined and shinier than the specie. Grows to 4 tall and 8 wide. Produces abundant red berries. Maryland Dwarf Sprawling cultivar to 3 tall and 10 wide. Large 2-4 glossy leaves. This is a female but it produces light crops of berries. I. vomitoria Yaupon hollies have small thornless leaves and many take on a slight gray/green winter color. Excellent foundation plants, they take hard pruning well but it is seldom needed. Most cultivars offered are male selections so there are no berries. Bordeaux A male yaupon selection that has burgundy new growth and burgundy winter color. Grows to 5 tall, but easily maintained at less. Much better choice for a foundation planting than I. crenata cultivars. Foliage is slightly smaller and grayer than Japanese hollies. Micron (Gremicr) A very compact selection that only gets 30 tall and wide. Slow growth, never needs pruning. Male selection. Shillings Dwarf One of several varieties often sold as dwarf yaupon. Foliage is smaller and a little softer that other yaupons. Grows to 6 tall. Male selection. Stokes Dwarf Another variety often sold as dwarf yaupon. New growth has a slight purple tinge. Male selection that grows to 4 tall and wide. Good foundation plant. Needs little trimming or care once established. Yaupon, Dwarf (Nana) Excellent foundation holly. Small gray/green spineless leaves. Grows to 5 tall and 8 wide. Nana produces small scarlet red berries, usually hidden in the foliage. There are a couple of male cultivars offered under the same name. Hybrids Ilex x Cherry Bomb Result of a cross between I. x Nellie R. Stevens and I. integra. Dark green foliage, no spines. Pruduces abundant red berries that persist through the winter. Grows to 4 tall and wide. I. x meserveae Most are results of crosses between I. rugosa and either I. aquifolium or I. cornuta. Most are heavily thorned and have a slight to prominent blue color so they are commonly called the blue hollies. They are susceptible to black root rot, so if they start dying a limb at a time, do not replant them. Black root rot is very difficult to control, switch to an American or Chinese holly. Blue Angel - Compact slow growing cultivar. Blue/green, crinkled, spiny foliage turns purplish green in the winter. Large scarlet red berries, grows to 5 tall.
Blue Baron A compact male selection with blue/green foliage. Grows to 3 tall and wide. China Boy Foliage usually has 5-7 spines and has a slight blue/green color. It forms a mounding shrub to 6 + and equally as wide. No berries, male selection, but plant one in among China Girl for berry production. Prone to black root rot, so good drainage is crucial. China Girl The female counterpart of above. Growth and appearance are similar but this one produces abundant red berries. China Twins This is just a China Boy and a China Girl planted in the same container to may sure the female produces berries. Little Rascal (Mondo) Compact rounded growth to 2 tall and 3 wide. Foliage turns deep purple in the winter. This is a male selection. Little Rascal Improved (Monnieves) Rounded growth to 4 tall. Increased resistance to root diseases. This is a male selection. Hollies that are taller than 6. I. aquifolium English Holly English - Dark green, glossy, somewhat wavy leaves with large spines. Female plants produce abundant red berries that persist through the winter. Can grow to 50 or more but more often seen as a large shrub in the Mid-South, usually under 10. Looks best if protected from hot afternoon sun and winter winds. English, Variegated (argentea marginata) - a variegated leaf female cultivar. Heavily spined but very attractive green leaves with a white margin and extremely heavy red berry production. Can grow to 20 or more and a width of 10 + but usually seen much smaller in the Mid-South. Prone to black root rot, so provide excellent drainage. Looks best if protected from the hottest afternoon sun and winter winds. Santa s Delight (Sadezam) Deep blue/green leaves bordered with a creamy white margin that changes to pink in the fall. Can grow to 12 tall and 8 wide but probably smaller here. I. cassine aka Dahoon Holly Upright, open habit. Grows to 40 but 25 more common. Female produces heavy crops of red berries. Tolerates very wet locations. I. cornuta - The species can get quite tall to 20 or more. The leaves are heavily spined. The tip spine points down and the spines on either side of the tip point up like horns. Burford (Burfordii) - Large dark green leaves, single spine at the leaf tip. Very large shrub to 20 or more, easily trained to tree form. Rounded head to 20 wide. Produces heavy crops of large red berries. Dazzler Dark green, heavily spined Chinese holly selection. Upright, somewhat irregular growth to 15 produces heavy crops of large red berries. Delcon Similar to Needlepoint. Single spine at leaf tip, grows to 10 tall. Needlepoint (Delcambre) Foliage and plant slightly larger than dwarf Burfordii. Grows to 10 tall and wide, normally a single spine at the leaf tip, and produces masses of large red berries.
O Spring Dark green leaves with heavy, irregular creamy golden variegation. Moderate to slow open pyramidal growth to 10 tall and 8 wide. Looks best protected from hot afternoon sun. Male selection. Willowleaf Leaf is very similar to needlepoint, a single spine at the leaf tip. In fact, some believe they are one in the same, but Willowleaf supposedly grows larger, to 15 or so. Produces abundant red berries. I. crenata Buxifolia A pyramidal to columnar selection of Japanese holly that grows upright to 12 or more. Chesapeake An upright, pyramidal Japanese holly to 10 tall. Very dense, dark green boxwood-like foliage. Small black berries. Sky Pencil A columnar variety of Japanese holly with boxwood like leaves, that grows to 10 tall and 2-3 wide. Produces a small black berry, but it is not showy. I. glabra aka Inkberry - One of the few hollies that will withstand significant shade (although it is not as thick) and moist to wet locations. Shiny, dark green, soft foliage lightens in the summer and females produce small black berries. Spreads by underground stems, so can form colonies if not controlled. Rounded, somewhat open and airy shrub to 10 or so. I. latifolia aka Lusterleaf Large, dark green 6-8 leaves. Grows to 25 + here, to 60 in Japan. There are some magnificent specimens at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. Female plants have a dull red berry. Tolerates part shade, but looks best in full sun. Pyramidal growth to 15 wide. Auburn Large glossy 5 leaves. Pyramidal growth to 20 tall and 15 wide. Eastbay - Large dark green leaves, red berries, pyramidal growth to 25 tall and 12 wide. I. opaca aka American Dull green leaves with spines, abundant red berries on female plants. Grows to 30 tall normally but can reach 50 tall. Canary Similar in growth to American but the leaves and spines are smaller and it produces yellow berries. Chief Paduke - An upright dense form found near Paducah, KY. Grows to 30 tall and produces orange/red berries. Dodd s Red Creek Heavily spined, medium green foliage, abundant red berries. Upright, pyramidal growth to 25 tall and 15 wide. Greenleaf Upright pyramidal growth to 20 tall and 10 wide. Medium green leaves, heavy red berry production. Spined foliage but not as prickly as the native I. opaca. Jersey Knight Dense upright growth to 25 tall and 10-15 wide. Selected for its dark green glossy foliage, unlike the species which is dull. Male plant, no berries. Mac s Prince A male selection that grows to 30 + and 20 wide. Moderate to slow growth. Mamie Eisenhower Smaller 2 dark green leaves, upright growth to 25 tall and 15 wide. Good berry producer.
I. pedunculosa A Japanese holly that resembles the common houseplant Ficus benjamina or weeping fig. Dark green shiny leaves, no spines and the growth is pyramidal and somewhat open to 25 +. Most hollies have berries held tight against the stem; this one produces a red berry that is attached by a long stem. I. pernyi One of the most prolific berry producers. Small stiff foliage normally with 5 spines, pyramidal open habit to 20 or more. Occasionally a dwarf form is seen but neither is common. I. pernyi is used extensively for breeding because of its heavy berry production. Brilliant holly is a magnificent I. pernyi hybrid. I. vomitoria This native plant is one of the most dependable and varied plants for the garden. From dwarf foundation plants to tall, tree-form specimens, there is a yaupon for virtually every situation. Leaves are small, thornless, green to gray/green and female plants produce spectacular crops of translucent red berries. Folsom s Weeping A female selection found growing near Folsom, LA in the early 1950 s. Narrow upright growth, pendulous branches and translucent red berries. Grows to 20 tall and 5 wide. Hightower An upright selection of yaupon holly with dark green leaves and translucent red berries. Grows to 20 tall and 10 wide. Hoskin Shadow aka Shadow s Female A selection of yaupon holly chosen for its dark green foliage and profuse berries. Grows to 20 tall and 12 wide. Kathy Ann Batson A selection chosen for its dark green foliage that is twice the size of the species. Upright spreading growth tp 20 tall and 15 wide. Extremely heavy berry producer. Pride of Houston This is an improved selection of the native yaupon. It is a thicker plant with a more upright growth habit and produces more red berries. Grows to 15 tall and 10 wide. Scarlet s Peak Very columnar growth habit. Grows to 15 + and only 3 wide. Heavy berry producer. Weeping (Pendula) A weeping form of the native yaupon. Small, spineless leaves, abundant red berries. Upright leader with weeping branches to 25 tall and 15 wide. Will Fleming This is a columnar cultivar that grows to 15 tall and less than 2 wide Male selection, no berries. Yaupon Very versatile plant. Good drought tolerance and grows well in damp soils. Tolerates some shade, but female plants produce more berries in full sun. Small gray/green thornless foliage, grows to 20 tall and 12 wide. Hybrid Cultivars I. x attenuata - Eagleston Upright, pyramidal growth to 30. Dark green leaves, red berries, not as spiny as most hollies. East Palatka Medium green foliage that has a single spine at the leaf tip. Very heavy berry production, pyramidal growth to 40 tall and 25 wide. Has an open growth habit.
Foster (Fosteri #2) Small dark green leaves, each with small spines. Grows to 30 tall and 15 wide but shears easily and can be maintained at any height. Lots of red berries. Rapid upright growth. Result of a cross between I. cassine and I. opaca. Foster (Fosteri #4) Growth just like above, but this is a male cultivar, no berries. Savannah Light green leaves, abundant red berries. Not as thick as some hollies, but makes a very attractive tall screen or easily trimmed to tree form. Grows to 30 tall and 15 wide. I. x Koehneana Wirt L. Winn New growth has a slight burgundy tint. Foliage matures to a dark green, very heavily spined. Heavy red berry producer, slender pyramidal growth to 25 tall and 8-10 wide. Ilex x Acadiana New growth is bronze red then matures tp dark green leaves about 1.5 long with 10-12 spines. Dense branching, pyramidal to columnar growth to 15 tall and 8 wide. Good berry production. Brilliant Upright growth to 20. Pyramidal habit with slightly weeping branches. Produces heavy crops of large red berries. Dark green foliage, seven (not very sharp) spines per leaf. Very attractive plant. The result of a cross between I. pernyi and I. aquifolium. Cardinal Upright pyramidal growth to 14 tall and 8 wide. Dark green, heavily spined foliage, new growth has a slight burgundy tint. Christmas Jewel (HL10-90) A selection chosen for its upright, dense pyramidal growth and heavy red berry production. This cultivar does not need a male pollinator to produce berries. It grows to 10 tall and about 6 wide. Emerald Colonnade (RutHol 1) Somewhat rounded, pyramidal growth to 12 tall and 8 wide. Makes an attractive hedge or specimen plant. Emily Brunner Dark green heavily spined leafs, profuse red berries. Upright pyramidal growth to 25 tall and 15 wide. Resulted from an I. cornuta and I. latifolia cross. Festive (Conive) Small, dark green, very spiny foliage. Tight, slow growth, shears well. Grows to 12 tall and 8 wide. Liberty (Conty) Large, dark green, heavily serrated leaves, bright red berries. Grows to 14 tall, 8 wide, good hedge. Little Red (Coned) Upright, pyramidal growth to 10 tall and 8 wide. Leaves are heavily spined, produces red berries and new growth is burgundy red. Mary Nell Produces 3-4 heavily spined, dark green leaves and bright red berries. Grows to 15 tall and 8 wide. Requires very little trimming when mature. Nellie Stevens Large dark green 4 leaves, most with 3-5 spines. Normally grows to 15 tall and 12 wide but can reach 25 tall. Produces masses of red berries, excellent heat tolerance, tolerates part shade well. Oakland (Magland) - Upright growth to 12 tall and 6 wide. Almost identical in appearance to Oakleaf, except it has a denser branching habit. Oakleaf (Conaf) Upright growth to 15 tall, 8 wide. Leaves are pointed but not sharp, shape similar to an oak leaf. Oakleaf has a more columnar growth when young,
becomes more pyramidal with age. New growth has a slight red tint, produces red berries and is self pollinating. Patriot (Conot) Small, dark green, spined leaves, produces heavy crops of red berries. Pyramidal growth to 12 tall and 6 wide. Very attractive. Robin (Conin) Little Rascal (Mondo) Compact rounded growth to 2 tall and 3 wide. Foliage turns deep purple in the winter. This is a male selection. New growth has a maroon tinge; foliage matures to a dark green. Heavily spined foliage and very heavy red berry production. Grows to 15 tall and 8 wide. I. x merserveae - Berri-Magic This is just a Blue Prince and Blue Princess in the same container. Grown together to ensure pollination and berry formation. Blue Maid (Mesid) Deep green shiny foliage. Slight blue tint to the foliage, moderate pyramidal growth to 15 tall. Very cold hardy. Result of a cross between I. rugosa and I. aquifolium. Blue Prince Dark blue/green foliage, purple stems. Male selection that grows to 8 tall and 6 wide. Blue Princess Same foliage and plant height as Blue Prince, but produces abundant red berries. Castle Spire (Heckfee) - Dense branching, dark shiny foliage, bright red berries. Pyramidal growth to 10 tall and 4 wide. Use Castle Wall as a pollinator. Castle Wall (Heckenstar) Dark glossy green foliage, upright growth to 10 tall and 4 wide. Male selection, no berries. Centennial Girl - Deep green foliage with a slight blue tint. Very heavy berry producer, but rather slow growth. Pyramidal to columnar shape to 15 tall and 8 wide. Result of a cross between I. centrochinensis and I. aquifolium. Dragon Lady Pyramidal to columnar growth to 15 tall. Dark green, spined foliage, large red berries. Honey Maid Unique blue/green foliage with creamy white margins. Profuse red berries. Pyramidal growth to 8 tall and 5 wide. Red Beauty (Rutzan) Dense, dark green foliage, upright conical growth to 10 tall and 5 wide. Heavy berry producer. Dan West Garden Centers 4763 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38117 901-767-6743 12061 Hwy 64, Eads, TN 38028 901-867-2283