Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'

'Nellie R. Stevens'  is a hybrid cultivar of I. aquifolium and I. cornuta in the Aquifoliaceae family.  'Nellie R. Stevens' is typically grown as a large shrub which quickly reaches a mature height of 15 to 25 feet and width of 8 to 15 feet.  Its dense and conical to pyramidal form allows it to be trained into a small tree, if the lower branches are removed.

This broadleaf evergreen is a vigorous drought, air pollution, and heat tolerant female clone that does better with southern summers than many other hollies.  It is pollinated by I. cornuta but produces some fruit without a male pollinator.  Though it can produce fruits without a male pollinator Ilex cornuta and 'Edward J. Stevens' are male hollies that can assist with pollination. The small flowers that appear in spring are attractive to bees and other pollinators and It is a heavy fruiter, with bright red berries that appear in the fall and remain through the winter, feeding a variety of birds. The glossy dark green leaves are leathery and have spinose teeth. 

This plant does well in full sun to partial shade though it may need some protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It prefers rich, acidic, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types including heavy clay. It is best to avoid wet sites.  Prune this plant to shape in the winter.  

Use this plant as a specimen or take advantage of its dense spiny foliage for a a barrier, hedge, or screen planting.  Mass it in a woodland garden or plant along a foundation.  The showy red fruits make for great winter interest and can add some height to the back of a border.  Heavy fruit set of showy red berries make for great winter interest in any garden.  

Quick ID Hints:

• Bullate leaves with 1-3 spines along each margin.
• Leaves consistently vary in number of spines.
• Abundant red fruits.

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

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.