Whoa Nellie Holly Ilex 'Whoa Nellie'

‘Whoa Nellie’ is a sport from Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ and has a similar growth habit. It is a female cultivar selected for its golden new leaves that turn dark green at maturity. Like all hollies, it is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). ‘Whoa Nellie’ was named and introduced by nurseryman Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC. 

Like its parent, ‘Whoa Nellie’ prefers moist well-drained acid humus-rich soils. It needs full to partial sun, preferably with some protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It needs rich, acidic, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types including heavy clay. It is best to avoid wet sites. Once established, it tolerates drought and heat better than many other hollies. 

This evergreen shrub can grow 12 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 20 feet wide in a pyramidal form. It grows more slowly than ‘Nellie R. Stevens’. The attractive new leaves show up well in the landscape, especially planted among dark green trees and shrubs. ‘Whoa Nellie’ produces a good crop of red fruits in the autumn especially if a male pollinizer is nearby.

Use this plant as a specimen, accent or hedge. It would be suitable for for a winter garden or an English formal garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests that can be a problem include holly leafminer, scale, spider mites, and whiteflies. Disease problems include leaf spot and powdery mildew. Under alkaline soils, chlorosis can occur. 

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

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Ilex.