Ilex Oakleaf™ 'Conaf'

One of the more exciting introductions into the world of hollies is the Oakleaf™ holly.  This evergreen beauty is a chance seedling from another well-known holly called 'Mary Nell'.  The Oakleaf™ cultivar is one of five different hollies introduced as the "red hollies" in the mid-1990s.

Grow in full sun or in very light shade. This holly cultivar has a pyramidal form and will reach a height of 14 feet, with some reports up to 20 feet, at a moderate rate of growth of about one foot per year.  They withstand sheering well and are resistant to insect and disease problems as well as deer browsing. 

Oakleaf™ holly gets its name from the shape of the plant's leaf, whose shape resembles that of our native Scarlet Oak tree.  The evergreen foliage starts out purplish green and then turns an attractive medium green with a lighter colored leaf edge.   While the flowers are insignificant they are perfect meaning they will produce attractive orange-red fruits without the need for a male pollinator.

The Oakleaf™ holly's eight-foot spread makes it ideal for evergreen hedges or planting in mass for screening purposes.  This showstopper is attractive enough to set out into your garden as a specimen plant and its glossy green leaves and showy fruits make lasting interest in the fall and winter garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

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