Ilex pedunculosa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks ped-unk-yoo-LOH-sa
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Longstalk holly is a woody perennial native to Asia where it is often found in the mountains of Japan and the woodlands, thickets, and margins of woods on mountains in China. It is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). The species epithet, meaning “long peduncle,” highlights the long fruit stalk.
This holly prefers moist soil but is tolerant of most soils except poorly drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is drought-tolerant once established. The plant does not tolerate transplanting, especially as the plant gets older, so it is best to place the plant in its permanent position with some winter protection for the first year or two. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood. Prune in the late winter to control its size if needed.
Longstalk holly is a very hardy evergreen with red berries, small, pleasantly scented flowers, and showy foliage that is spineless and much like mountain laurel. The fruits are relished by birds. The plant can be pruned as a dense broad shrub or left to grow as a small tree. It is one of the most cold-hardy hollies and does well in the northern and western mountains of North Carolina. The plant is dioecious (meaning individual plants are either male or female). It is pollinated by bees. For females to bear fruit, a male pollinator is needed within 200 feet. A rule of thumb is to provide one male for every three females to ensure that good pollination will take place. Longstalk Holly was voted Holly of the Year for 2013 by the Holly Society of America.
The fruit and evergreen leaves make for winter interest in the landscape. It is a good choice for a privacy screen or specimen, it can be used in small groups, or as a foundation plant. Use the longstalk holly in an Asian, winter, or pollinator garden.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease 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:
- pedunculosa
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A dark red dye is obtained from the leaves. The wood is white and beautifully veined.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Central & South Japan
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Berries are eaten by birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer damage
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 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
- Multi-trunked
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Bright red 1/4 inch fruit on 1 to 2 inch stalks in fall and winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous female flowers are white, usually solitary on current season's growth. Male flowers are in clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, 1 to 3 inch dark green leaves; may develop a yellowish-green cast in harsh winter. Narrow, entire (untoothed), pear-like shape.
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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 Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Slender, glabrous, somewhat flattened.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Wind
