Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks at-ten-yoo-AY-tuh FOS-ter-ee
- Description
-
Hybrid between I. cassine and I. opaca. Foster's Holly is a small evergreen tree that is densely pyramidal and grows up to 20'' tall. It is fast growing and is a heavy fruiter, producing red fruits that persist through winter. This plant is moderately salt tolerant, has known pest problems, and is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are alternate, dark green, coriaceous.
- Leaves have spines on the upper half.
- Leaf bases are cuneate (not attenuate).
- Plant produces persistent red berries.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Foster No. 2'
darker green, narrow leaves - 'Hume No. 2'
small leaves
- 'Foster No. 2'
- 'Foster No. 2', 'Hume No. 2'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Foster No. 2'
darker green, narrow leaves - 'Hume No. 2'
small leaves
- 'Foster No. 2'
- 'Foster No. 2', 'Hume No. 2'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Florida, USA
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Some birds and animals feed on the fruit and foliage in the winter. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 7 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Erect
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
-
-
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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- This plant heavily produces round, red berries that persists into winter and are less than an inch long and wide.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous, white flowers that are less than an inch in axils.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 1 1/2" - 3" long. They are alternate, simple, elliptic to oblong-ovate, and spinose with 1-4 spiny teeth on each side. Leaves are glossy and dark green and can grow to be a little under 3" long.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Salt
