Holly for the Landscape, Holly for the Holidays

Foundation plants, screens and tall hedges, accent plants and focal points, mass plantings and borders, hollies (genus Ilex) serve many functions in a landscape.

Come late fall and winter many hollies take center stage as they boast their lustrous dark green scalloped leaves and brilliant red berries. Heavily berried holly limbs are stunning in the landscape while cut stems are beautiful in holiday wreaths and arrangements.

Hollies are dioecious, which means that plants are either male or female. Males supply pollen and females produce berries. Both males and females bloom with small white flowers in the spring. Bees are their primary pollinators. Male and female plants should grow within 40 feet of each other for good pollination. Some varieties are self-fertilizing.

Late fall is a good time to plant hollies. They prefer slightly acidic soil, pH 5.0 to 6.0, with good organic content. They grow in part shade, but the more sun, the more berries.

When buying a holly consider what functions you want the plant to perform. There is enough diversity among cultivars that you can find the perfect tree or shrub without compromising.

You may not have considered a holly for a difficult or special spot in your landscape. Look through the hollies listed below to find new possibilities.

American holly (I. opaca) is classically pyramidal in shape, with large spiny leaves and bright red berries. Trees grow to 50+ feet. There are many cultivars available.

Chinese holly (I. cornuta) grows 10 to 15 ft. tall. It sports large spiny dark green leaves. It is one of few hollies that produce berries without pollination. Be aware that Carissa, a common variety, seldom fruits. Hardy in Zones 7 – 9, it tolerates drought and heat. Be aware that it has a deep root system.

English holly (I. aquifolium) is a slow growing evergreen tree with glossy, spiny foliage and bright red berries. Some cultivars have lovely white variegated leaf margins. Mature height can reach 30 to 40 ft. This species dislikes poor drainage and low temperatures

‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is quick growing—up to three feet per year—to a mature height of 30 ft. A cross between Chinese and English hollies, it is pyramidal with glossy dark green leaves and vivid red berries.

Japanese holly (I. crenata) is not as tolerant of hot dry sites as Chinese holly. These comparatively small evergreen shrubs produce inconspicuous black or occasionally white fruit. Round-growing shrubs with small glossy leaves, they are sometimes mistaken for boxwood. Popular varieties include Helleri, Convexa, Hetzii and Roundleaf. Consider them for high groundcover, borders and mass planting. Be aware that some Japanese cultivars can be susceptible to root rot.

Common winterberry (I. verticillata) is deciduous. Unlike most hollies, it grows well in wet conditions—think rain garden, pond edge. Six to 10 ft. female shrubs bear extravagant displays of red, orange or yellow berries which last well into winter until birds consume them.

Deciduous Possumhaw holly (I. decidua) is often confused with winterberry; but be aware that it reaches twice the height as winterberry and it grows in alkaline soil whereas winterberry doesn’t. Distinguish it by its gray bark and lustrous dark green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Sprigs of its red berries are common in holiday decorations.

Yaupon (I. vomitoria) tolerates heat better than most evergreen hollies. Salt tolerant and good in wet areas, this native is well adapted to southeast coastal areas. In SC it grows to a small tree 3 to 15 ft. tall and 3 to 10 ft. wide. The dwarf form ‘nana,’ grows 3 to 5 ft. tall and a weeping form ‘pendula’ reaches 10 – 15 ft. tall. Distinguish it from Japanese hollies by its gray stems and twigs and purplish new growth which turns dark gray green. Also, females produce clusters of small red berries.

When you walk through a good nursery check out Lusterleaf holly (I. latifolia). It has the largest leaves, (6 – 8 in. long) of all hollies. Also investigate Inkberry holly (I. glabra) is a notably versatile native evergreen with glossy fine-textured leaves.

Look to hollies for plants that are native and wildlife friendly. You will find they are decorative, functional and fit various design schemes. Moreover, you will discover that well selected hollies are suited for climate change.

This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Holly for the Landscape, Holly for the Holidays."