Emily Bruner Holly Ilex 'Emily Bruner'
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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‘Emily Bruner’ holly is a woody, perennial, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a hybrid cross between I. cornuta and I. latifolia initially developed by a student at the University of Tennessee. It is noted for its bright, glossy green leaves, good fruit production, and dense, broad, and pyramidal form. 'Emily Bruner' can reach 15 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide.
This holly is tolerant of most neutral to acidic soils, except poorly-drained ones, and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is tolerant of heat and humidity and is drought tolerant once established, making it a good choice for the south. It requires more nitrogen than other hollies to maintain its dark green foliage. Prune in the late winter to control its size if desired. 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.
Hollies are dioecious plants, meaning there are separate male and female plants. For the female plant to bear fruit, both male and female shrubs that bloom at the same time must be planted. 'Emily Bruner' is a female plant; the 'James Swan' holly is the recommended male pollinizer.
Dense, prickly leaves make this plant a good choice for creating a barrier, privacy screen, or hedge. The flowers are fragrant, but not showy, so consider using this cultivar in a foundation planting or to accent a lawn. Plant at the back of a border, in a woodland or winter garden, or naturalized area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Holly leaf miner, scale, whitefly, and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rot, and tar spot are potential disease problems. Depending on their planting location this shrub can exhibit chlorosis, leaf drop, or leaf scorch from alkaline soils.
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. cornuta x I. latifolia
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Southeastern 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:
- Buffer
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 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
- Horizontal
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- 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
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 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:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Large, vivid red, globose berry-like fruit clusters encircle the stem.
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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:
- Small, dull-white flowers in late spring that are 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch. Male and female flowers are on different plants (dioecious). Fragrant but not showy.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are glossy and dark green and are 4 3/4 inches long by 2 inches wide. There are usually 12 to 15 pairs of spines on each side. They are alternate, simple, and oblong to oblong-elliptical. The apex is obtuse with a terminal spinose tooth.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark becoming finely flakey with size.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Security
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
