Koehne Holly Ilex x koehneana 'Martha Berry'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks ko-NEE-ah-na
- Description
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Ilex x hoehneana is a broadleaf evergreen holly that grows up to 20 feet or more, depending on location. Its pyramidal form is compact, dense, well-shaped, and pleasing to the eye. The dark green leaves along with the brilliant red berries add to its attractiveness. Locate in an area that is protected from cold winter winds and hot summer sun.
'Martha Berry' ranks among the best of the species. It is a female, requiring a male pollinator to produce fruit.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Not as cold hardy as 'Nellie R. Stevens'. Insects that may affect this plant are holly leaf miner, spider mites, whitefly, and scale. Leaf drop and leaf scorch may be an issue. Yellowing of the leaves due to high pH soils can also affect the plant.
- 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:
- koehneana
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Screening
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer damage
- Dimensions:
- Height: 18 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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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:
- Clusters of brilliant red fruit are persistent.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- The greenish-white blooms
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3.5-4.5 in. dark, olive to almost blue-green leaves; slightly wavy
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
