Mary Nell Holly Ilex 'Mary Nell'
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ilex ‘Mary Nell’ is a hybrid evergreen holly developed by the Tom Dodd Nursery in Alabama from three Asian species: I. cornuta, I. pernyi and I. latifolia. It is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae).
It grows well in partial shade, but foliage quality and fruiting will be best in full sun. 'Mary Nell' does well in almost any soil, but prefers well-drained, moist soil. It is winter hardy throughout the Coastal and Piedmont regions of the Southeast; however, it may suffer damage in severe mountain winters. Like most evergreen hollies, 'Mary Nell' is easily propagated from hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings rooted under mist.
From its three parents, 'Mary Nell' inherits tough landscape adaptability in the Southeast, beautiful large, exceptionally glossy, dark blue-green leaves, a dense, pyramidal to columnar shape, and the tendency to produce prodigious quantities of bright red fruit. This mix of inherited characters translates into a plant with the striking foliage qualities of I. latifolia plus the elegant and refined habit of I. pernyi, the cast-iron landscape performance of I. cornuta, and the fruitfulness of a vigorous hybrid—an unbeatable combination of desirable characteristics. Given these traits, 'Mary Nell' may well outpace 'Nellie R. Stevens' as a top evergreen holly hybrid for Southeastern gardens.
'Mary Nell' matures at 20 to 25 feet in height with a moderately formal pyramidal shape and very dense foliage. 'Mary Nell' is most often used as a hedge, foundation plant, or as a specimen plant. It is appropriate for winter, formal English, or Asian gardens.
Information provided in part by JC Raulston Arboretum.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and 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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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruit provide winter food; dense foliage provide protection for birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 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:
- Coarse
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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
- 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:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Numerous bright red berries persist through winter and are attractive to wildlife. For best fruiting, site in full sun.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, white flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Large glossy green leaves with short spines on margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
