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Ilex 'Cherry Bomb'

Common Name(s):

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

'Cherry Bomb' Holly is an evergreen shrub cultivar in the Aquifoliaceae (holly) family.  The product of a cross between Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens' and Ilex inegra made by the United States National Arboretum. 'Cherry Bomb' is a slow-growing evergreen shrub, small and rounded in form, with glossy, nearly spineless, leaves and abundant large red berries that add interest to the landscape from fall through spring. It typically measures 3 or 4 feet high and wide, but if allowed to mature without pruning, can reach a height and width of 12 feet. It is a popular landscaping plant in the south, especially Texas, and makes an excellent specimen plant, foundation plant, or for placement in the middle of a border. Plant it under the shade of some deciduous tree or use it as a privacy hedge.  

'Cherry Bomb' Holly prefers sun or part shade, but does best in a shaded site. Soil should be slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained. You can prune this plant to control its growth, a practice best done in winter. This plant has better heat tolerance than many of the hollies, and is a good selection for hot southern areas, but is not particularly cold hardy.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to holly leaf miner, spider mites, whitefly, and scale. Disease problems include leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot and powdery mildew. Also susceptible to leaf drop, leaf scorch and chlorosis (yellowing of leaves in high pH soils).

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

More information on Ilex.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#specimen#low maintenance#winter interest#privacy#foundation planting#red fruits#fruits fall#evergreen shrub#fruits spring#border middle#understory shrub#winter color red#winter fruits#ornamental tree#shrub borders#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#specimen#low maintenance#winter interest#privacy#foundation planting#red fruits#fruits fall#evergreen shrub#fruits spring#border middle#understory shrub#winter color red#winter fruits#ornamental tree#shrub borders#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Texas
    Distribution:
    Southeastern United States
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Mildly resistant to damage by deer, moderately salt tolerant.
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Human consumption of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all 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)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Large bright red berries hang from this uncommon evergreen holly from fall to spring.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Greenish white insignificant flowers bloom in the spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green leaves, glossy, smooth, non-prickly edges.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
  • 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