Christmas Jewel Holly Ilex Christmas Jewel® 'HL10-90'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Christmas Jewel® holly is an open pollinated seedling of a female I. pernyi and an unknown male holly that was discovered and selected by the Head family of Seneca, South Carolina.
Christmas Jewel holly is tolerant of most soils except poorly-drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is drought tolerant once established. Mature plants do not tolerate root disturbance, so it is best to site the plant in its permanent position, preferably one that provides winter protection for the first year or two.
The Christmas Jewel holly is an upright, compact, dense evergreen tree with a pyramidal form. It has narrow, dark green glossy leaves with spines that are blunt and do not hurt when touched. It is self-pollinating and also has a heavy set of red fruit that provides winter interest as well as winter food for wildlife. It appears to be cold hardy having survived a severe northern Delaware winter. It can be pruned, but will usually retain its shape without pruning. Propagation of this plant is prohibited.
This cultivar is suitable for a winter garden where it would make an excellent specimen, accent, hedge or foundation plant. As the leaf spines are not sharp, it can be grown near walkways and patios without fear of injuring passers-by.
Diseases, Insect Pests, Other Plant Problems: No known disease or insect problems.
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:
- I. pernyi
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Carolina
- Distribution:
- Middle and South eastern United States.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- 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
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Large red Winter berries are very attractive. The berries are apple red by Christmas and last until early summer. Berries appear even without a pollinizer.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous white flowers in the spring. This exclusively female plant does not need any pollinators to produce fruit.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Medium green with blunt spines.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
