Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'

Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a hybrid cultivar of I. aquifolium and I. cornuta in the Aquifoliaceae or holly family.  It is typically grown as a large broadleaf evergreen shrub that quickly reaches a mature height of 15 to 30 feet and a width of 8 to 25 feet.  Its dense and conical to pyramidal form allows it to be trained into a small tree if the lower branches are removed. The small flowers that appear in spring are attractive to bees and other pollinators.  It produces bright red berries that ripen in the fall and remain through the winter, feeding a variety of birds. The glossy dark green leaves are leathery and have spinose teeth.

Most hollies are dioecious plants and require both a male and female shrub or tree for fruit production. The unique fixture of this shrub is that the berries can be produced without the benefit of a male pollinator. It is called a partially "parthenocarpic" plant because it can set some fruits 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.

Nellie R. Stevens from Oxford, Maryland is responsible for this hybrid. In 1900, she visited the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC, and acquired the berries. The plant was only known by her family until 1952. 

The genus name, Ilex, is derived from the Latin name Quercus ilex for the holm oak. This references the foliage resembling the evergreen leaves of the holm oak and many of the other shrubs in the Ilex genus.

Nellie R. Stevens Holly performs best in full sun to partial shade and rich, slightly acidic soils that are moist and well-drained. If pruning is required, it is best done in the winter months.  This shrub may need some protection from the afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It tolerates a range of soil types including heavy clay, but it is best to avoid wet sites. This broadleaf evergreen is a vigorous drought, air pollution, and heat-tolerant. 

Nellie R. Stevens Holly is one of the best and most popular hollies for southern warm climates in the United States. Use this plant as a specimen or take advantage of its dense spiny foliage for a barrier, hedge, or screen planting.  Mass it in a woodland garden or plant it 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 sets of showy red berries make for great winter interest in any garden.  

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring       Foliage:  Year-round          Fruits:  Fall and Winter

Quick ID Hints:

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

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insect pests that can be a problem include holly leaf miners, scale, spider mites, and whiteflies.  Disease problems include leaf spots, root rot, canker, and powdery mildew.  It is also susceptible to leaf drop, leaf scorch, and chlorosis if the soil pH is too high.  

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.