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Ilex hybrids is often confused with:
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Native alternative(s) for Ilex hybrids:
Ilex opaca Ilex opaca
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Ilex vomitoria Ilex vomitoria
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cornus florida Cornus florida
Ilex decidua Ilex decidua
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Ilex hybrids has some common insect problems:
Holly Pest Management Calendar
Pests of Holly

Ilex hybrids

Common Name(s):

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

Ilex hybrids, or Japanese Holly hybrids, are a collection of handsome, deciduous, evergreen shrubs or small trees in the Aquifoliaceae family. The parent plant is a native of Japan and east Asia and can be found in thickets, woods and wet places in lowland and mountains all over Japan. The genus name, Ilex, comes from the Latin Quercus ilex for holm oak and refers to the similarity to oak in the shape of the leaves. In general, Japanese Holly hybrids have showy red or black fruits that provide fall and winter interest in the landscape and bright green foliage that lasts year round. The parent plant and its hybrids tend to be dense, rigid, compact, and range in height from dwarfs at 2 feet high up to 10 feet tall. The plant is resistant to damage by deer and tolerates severe pruning and you will find it often used to make topiaries. The cultivars listed with this entry are crosses between Ilex vericillata and Ilex serrata, but keep in mind that there are many species of the genus Ilex and many cultivars of those various species described under the general heading Ilex in this plant toolbox.

Plant Japanese Holly in the full sun to partial shade in acidic well-drained soil though it tolerates a wide range of soil types, from moist to dry, including clay. It tolerates drought, shade, air pollution, poor soils, and clay soils and is easy to transplant. Most hybrids have a slow growth rate and some may not thrive in areas with high heat and humidity (USDA zones 8 and 9). The species is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant, thus both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile. It is abundantly planted as an ornamental in North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests.  Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow.

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:
'Apollo', 'Bonfire', 'Carolina Cardinal', 'Sparkleberry'
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#winter interest#fall interest#specialized bees#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#food source fall#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#bee friendly#winter fruits#food source winter#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Apollo', 'Bonfire', 'Carolina Cardinal', 'Sparkleberry'
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#winter interest#fall interest#specialized bees#deer resistant#red fruits#pollinator plant#food source fall#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#bee friendly#winter fruits#food source winter#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Nepal to Temperate East Asia, Japan and Korea
    Distribution:
    Throughout eastern United States.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Small fragrant flowers attract bees and blue black or red fruits are enjoyed by birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Prolific berry production; colors early season. Globose, berrylike-fruit on pollinated female plants from fall to spring that are 1/4 inch in length. Fruits are hidden below the foliage.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small (1/4 inch), dull white fragrant flowers in spring that form in clusters of 1 to 3. Pistillate cyme, in leaf axils of current season's growth; staminate solitary in leaf axils of current season's growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Prickly
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple leaves; new growth is plum purple. Leaves are shaped elliptic or ovate to oblong-lanceolate. Leaves are 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches long and are crowded on stems. The underside of leaves are sometimes dotted with blackish pellucid glands. Leaves are good in flower arrangements. Their dark green color provides winter interest.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, gray-brown or slightly greenish.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are green on current season growth, and turn gray-green to gray-brown by year 2 or 3. They are often densely pubescent on young stems. Dense and rigid at maturity.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
  • 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