Ilex 'Carolina Cardinal'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Carolina Cardinal' is a hybrid of winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and the finetooth holly (Ilex serrata) developed at JC Raulston Arboretum. 'Carolina Cardinal' is a compact deciduous shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae) with beautiful dark brown bark and masses of crimson berries clustered along the branches. It grows well in full sun or partial shade, but full sun will encourage fruit on the female plants. Carolina Cardinal tolerates poor soil and prefers moist, acidic conditions.
The Carolina Cardinal holly is a hardy, vigorous shrub with a low spreading habit that does well in full sun or partial shade and typically grows to about 4 feet high, but can be left to grow taller. New growth will start off purple but mature to green.
Plant it in shrub borders, in groups or in a winter garden. Low-growing and full, it can accent winter landscapes with a vivid burst of showy, long-lasting, red fruits that provide a food source for birds in fall and winter months. The plant can be pruned to shape; however, keep in mind that next year's blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: A hardy plant with few disease or insect issues. However, high-pH soils can cause chlorosis and leaf spot and powdery mildew can be a problem, although rarely disfiguring.
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:
- verticillata x serrata
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Eastern and south central United States
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to plentiful red fruits.
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Glossy, bright red drupe that lasts from fall through winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white flowers in late spring, male flowers in clusters and female flowers solitary or in 2's and 3's.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Light green, simple, elliptical leaves 1 1/2 to 3 inches long and 3/4 to 1 1/4 inch wide.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth woody stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
