Savannah Holly Ilex x 'Savannah'
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks
- Description
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Savannah Holly is a female evergreen small tree that grows up to 29'6" tall. It is loosely pyramidal, upright, and dense in sun, but more open in partial shade. This plant is a heavy fruiter, producing red berries that persist through winter and contrast well with the pale green leaves. This tree has a rapid growth rate, has known pest problems, and is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves have evenly spaced spines mid-leaf to apex.
- Leaves are pale green and spinose.
- Small tree, loose and rounded to pyramidal.
- 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
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- 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:
- Buffer
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer damage
- Dimensions:
- Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 29 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Plant produces vivid red globose berries. Fruits can grow solitary or in clusters of 2-3. Berries are less than an inch long and wide. They persist into winter and contrast well with the pale green leaves.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White-green, inconspicuous, solitary 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
- Prickly
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 2"-3 1/2" long. Plant has light, olive green leaves in the summer with 2-4 evenly spaced spines on each side starting from the middle to the tip of the leaf. Leaves are alternate, simple, obovate, and less thick than most holly leaves.
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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
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Urban Conditions
