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Ilex x 'Emily Bruner'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-leks
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Emily Bruner' is a hybrid cross between I. cornuta and I. latifolia initially developed by a student at the University of Tennessee. 'Emily Bruner' is an evergreen shrub or a small tree that left to grow to its full height will reach 19 1/2 feet tall. It is noted for its bright, glossy green leaves, good fruit production and a dense, broad, and pyramidal form.

The large, persistent red fruits encircle the stems, creating winter interest. This plant requires more nitrogen than other hollies to maintain the consistent dark green foliage. The flowers are not very showy, but they are pleasantly scented.

The plant is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). It is pollinated by bees. 'Emily Bruner' is a female plant and requires a male plant as a pollinator to produce fruit. The 'James Swan' cultivator is the recommended male pollinator, but the Holly Society of America also recommends ''Blue Holly', 'Blue Stallion', 'Blue Prince' or 'Blue Boy'. They also state that any male holly that blooms at the same time (spring) can act as a pollinator.

This holly is tolerant of most soils except poorly-drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is tolerant of heat and humidity and is drought tolerant once established, making it a good choice for the south. Prune in the late winter to control its size if needed. The spiny leaves make this a good choice for a barrier or privacy screen or use as an impenetrable hedge. It can also be planted as a specimen, used in small groups, or planted along a foundation. Mature plants do not tolerate root disturbance, so it is best to site the plant in its permanent position, preferably one that provides winter protection for the first year or two.

Plant at the back of a border, use as an accent in a winter or woodland garden, or as a hedge or screening plant, in a woodland setting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Holly leaf miner, scale, whitefly, and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rot, and tar spot are potential disease problems. Depending on their planting location this shrub can exhibit chlorosis, leaf drop, or leaf scorch from high pH soils.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#shrub#wildlife plant#nectar plant#winter interest#accent plant#security plant#hedges#specialized bees#red fruits#screening#pollinator plant#naturalized area#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#border back#bird friendly#bee friendly#winter fruits#woodland garden#alkaline soils intolerant#privacy screen
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#shrub#wildlife plant#nectar plant#winter interest#accent plant#security plant#hedges#specialized bees#red fruits#screening#pollinator plant#naturalized area#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#border back#bird friendly#bee friendly#winter fruits#woodland garden#alkaline soils intolerant#privacy screen
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ilex
    Species:
    I. cornuta x I. latifolia
    Family:
    Aquifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Distribution:
    Southeastern United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
    Edibility:
    Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Horizontal
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    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:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Large, vivid red, globose berry-like fruit clusters encircle the stem.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, dull-white flowers in late spring that are 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch. Male and female flowers are on different plants (dioecious). Fragrant but not showy.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are glossy and dark green and are 4 3/4 inches long by 2 inches wide. There are usually 12 to 15 pairs of spines on each side. They are alternate, simple, and oblong to oblong-elliptical. The apex is obtuse with a terminal spinose tooth.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth gray bark becoming finely flakey with size.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Security
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Minor toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other illness in humans.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits