Often Misspelled as "Stephens" Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens'

'Nellie R. Stevens’ holly is a woody, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a hybrid cultivar of I. aquifolium and I. cornuta, quickly matures to a height of 15 to 30 feet and a width of 8 to 25 feet and is a heavy producer of bright red berries. 

‘Nellie R. Stevens’ does well in full sun to partial shade, preferably with some protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It needs rich, acidic, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types including heavy clay. It is best to avoid wet sites. It tolerates drought and heat better than many other hollies. Its conical to pyramidal form allows it to be trained into a small tree, if the lower branches are removed. Prune to shape in the winter. 

Hollies are dioecious plants, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Typically, for the female plant to bear fruit, both male and female plants that bloom at the same time must be present. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is a female plant, yet it produces some fruits without a male pollinator. However, Ilex cornuta and 'Edward J. Stevens' are male hollies that are good pollenizers. The small flowers that appear in spring are attractive to bees and other pollinators. 

Use this plant as a specimen or take advantage of its dense, prickly foliage for use as a barrier, hedge, or screen planting. It is excellent in a woodland garden or as part of a foundation planting. The showy red fruits add color high in the back of a border. A heavy display of showy red berries makes for great winter interest in any garden.  

Quick ID Hints:

• Bullate leaves with 1 to 3 spines along each margin.

• Leaves consistently vary in number of spines.

• Abundant red fruits.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests that can be a problem include holly leaf miner, scale, spider mites, and whiteflies. Disease problems include leaf spot and powdery mildew. Under alkaline soils, chlorosis can occur.  

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.