East Palatka Holly Ilex x attenuata 'East Palatka'
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks ah-TEN-yoo-ah-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ilex x attenuata, or Topal Holly, is a naturally growing evergreen shrub or small tree that is a hybrid cross of I. cassine (Dahoon) and I. opaca (American Holly). Topal Holly was initially found growing wild in Florida in the 1920's, but is now found throughout the southeastern United States where both parents are native. 'East Palatka' Holly is a cultivar of I. x attenuata. Unlike its parent, which has a conical form, The 'East Palatka' Holly is pyramidal to horizontal with a weeping appearance. It can be grown as a 35 foot evergreen tree or as a large shrub and pruned when young into a single trunk to promote strong growth that is more resistant to storm damage. It tolerates urban conditions well and can be used in parking strips or sidewalks. It also works well as a specimen in a lawn planting or planted in groups and used as a screen or hedge. This tough plant is drought tolerant and can thrive in compacted poorly drained soils. Like its parent, 'East Palatka' has spiny, elliptic to obovate-lanceolate evergreen leaves (to 3 inches long) with attenuated bases, insignificant greenish-white spring flowers, and showy, pea-sized, red fruits that persist over winter. The fruits provide ornamental winter interest and attract birds.
'East Palatka' Holly grows best in acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Although the best fruit production occurs in full sun, these plants do well with some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. You should site the plant where it can be protected from cold winter winds and the soil is well drained. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and deter weed growth. Prune in winter to maintain the desired size, although keep in mind that the plant flowers on new growth. Plants are dioecious (separate male and female plants) and, in order to set fruit, female plants will need a nearby male pollinator. Plants can suffer from the cold in USDA Zone 5 and below.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. May be affected by leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew. There can also be issues with leaf drop, leaf scorch, and chlorosis. Insects can include holly leaf miner, spider mites, scale, whitefly, and spittlebugs. Growth is poor on alkaline soils.
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:
- cassine x opaca
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Southeastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Winter food sources for birds and wildlife. Fruits are attractive to birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Use caution. Human consumption of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 35 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Pyramidal
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Female plants have many fleshy, bright red, pea-sized berries that remain persistent through winter. Female plants will need a nearby male pollinator to set fruit.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous white flowers appear on new growth in late winter to early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Broad dull green leaves 2 to 4 inches long with one spine at the tip and few if any on the leaves.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin bark can be easily damaged.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Security
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Drought
- Pollution
- Urban Conditions
