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Ilex

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Holly is a genus of 564 species and numerous cultivars of perennial shrubs and trees in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). Hollies are found in temperate and tropical forests on every continent (except Antarctica). As many as 14 species are native to North Carolina. The genus name is derived from the Classical Greek name for hollies. 

Hollies thrive in full sun to partial shade in acidic, well-drained soil, although they tolerate a wide range of soil types, from moist to dry, including clay. Hollies tolerate drought, shade, air pollution, poor soils, and are easy to transplant. Most of the deciduous species and hybrids will not thrive in areas with high heat and humidity (USDA zones 8 and 9). The tropical species are not frost hardy. 

Hollies are dioecious, meaning that only one sex is found on any one plant, thus both male and female plants must be grown if fruits are desired. Holly flowers are pollinated by bees and some make excellent honey plants.

There are many species and cultivars of holly available in the trade. Larger species are suitable for specimens, accents, specimens and screens. The spiny species are useful as security barriers. Smaller species and cultivars are suitable for hedges and borders, accents, and even ground cover. Use hollies in Asian, children’s, English, cottage, or winter gardens. The native species are ideal for native gardens, where birds can feast on the fruit.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests.  Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow.

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

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Apollo', 'Bonfire', 'Carolina Cardinal', 'Carolina Sentinel', 'Cherry Bomb', Christmas Jewel® 'HL10-90', 'Emily Bruner', Ilex amelanchier, Ilex aquifolium, Ilex cassine, Ilex chinensis, Ilex coriacea, Ilex cornuta, Ilex crenata, Ilex decidua, Ilex glabra, Ilex latifolia, Ilex montana, Ilex myrtifolia, Ilex opaca, Ilex pedunculosa, Ilex pernyi, Ilex verticillata, Ilex vomitoria, Ilex x aquiperni, Ilex x attenuata, Ilex x koehneana, Ilex x mesereae, 'Mary Nell', 'Nellie R. Stevens', Oakland™ 'Magland', Oakleaf™ 'Conaf', 'Scepter', Sharum's Shamrock™ 'EN2', 'Sparkleberry', 'Whoa Nellie'
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#winter interest#fall interest#specialized bees#NC native#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#bee friendly#winter fruits#food source winter#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Apollo', 'Bonfire', 'Carolina Cardinal', 'Carolina Sentinel', 'Cherry Bomb', Christmas Jewel® 'HL10-90', 'Emily Bruner', Ilex amelanchier, Ilex aquifolium, Ilex cassine, Ilex chinensis, Ilex coriacea, Ilex cornuta, Ilex crenata, Ilex decidua, Ilex glabra, Ilex latifolia, Ilex montana, Ilex myrtifolia, Ilex opaca, Ilex pedunculosa, Ilex pernyi, Ilex verticillata, Ilex vomitoria, Ilex x aquiperni, Ilex x attenuata, Ilex x koehneana, Ilex x mesereae, 'Mary Nell', 'Nellie R. Stevens', Oakland™ 'Magland', Oakleaf™ 'Conaf', 'Scepter', Sharum's Shamrock™ 'EN2', 'Sparkleberry', 'Whoa Nellie'
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#winter interest#fall interest#specialized bees#NC native#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#bee friendly#winter fruits#food source winter#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    World-wide.
    Distribution:
    Throughout eastern United States.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Small fragrant flowers attract bees and fruits are enjoyed by birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Textural
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Nesting
    Wind Break
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Globose, berry-like fruit on pollinated female plants from fall to spring that are 1/4 inch long. Fruits may be hidden by the foliage. Some species are prolific fruit producers.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small (1/4 inch), dull greenish to white flowers in spring that form in clusters of 1 to 3. Some are fragrant. Pistillate flowers are in cymes, in the leaf axils of the current season's growth; staminate flowers are solitary in the leaf axils of the current season's growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Prickly
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple leaves; new growth is plum purple in some cultivars. Leaves are shaped elliptic or ovate to oblong-lanceolate. Leaves are 1/2 to 4 inches long and are crowded on stems. The undersides of leaves are sometimes dotted with blackish pellucid glands. Leaves are good in flower arrangements. Their dark green color provides winter interest. Some species lack marginal spines.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, gray-brown or slightly greenish.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are green on current season growth, and turn gray-green to gray-brown by year 2 or 3. They are often densely pubescent on young stems. Dense and rigid at maturity.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    English Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Minor toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness in humans.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits