Service berry Holly Ilex amelanchier
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Ilex dubia
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks am-uh-LAN-kee-er
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sarvis Holly is a large deciduous upright shrub or small tree typically found in the southeastern United States. It is relatively rare in natural settings, although it is generally available commercially, and has a range that reaches its northern limit in southeastern North Carolina. It is found along black water rivers and floodplains and in clay-based Carolina bays. In North Carolina, it has been recorded in just 7 counties in the Coastal Plain. While it is rare and slow to reach maturity, once established, it tends to have a long lifespan.
Sarvis (or Service) Holly is a single-stemed holly that grows well in course to medium textured acidic soil and has some drought tolerance. The leaves are dull green above, light green below with raised white veins on the lower surface. The fruit is a dull, velvety rosy red. For the plant to produce berries, you must have both a male and female plant of the same species and they must bloom at the same time. The plant can be pruned to shape; however, keep in mind that next year's blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- amelanchier
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern, U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dull pink-red drupes, slightly glaucous, appear in late summer and may last through the following spring. You need both male and female plants to produce berries.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous tiny flowers with 4 or 5 greenish-white petals are borne in small clusters in the leaf axils. Blossom in April and May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dull, pale green ovate leaves up to 4 inches long. Leaves are very finely toothed almost entire. The undersides of leaves are very densely hairy and lighter in color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth, grayish-brown and often marked with lenticels. Often colonized by lichens.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young stems and twigs are hairy and appear almost white but become glabrous and red-brown with age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Pollution
