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Ilex opaca (American Holly)

American Holly, White Holly, Prickly Holly, Evergreen Holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly

Ilex opaca, American Holly, White Holly, Prickly Holly, Evergreen Holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly, red berries, evergreen shrub, Aquifoliaceae, Berry, holly, Ilex, winter shrub

Beautifully shaped, Ilex opaca (American Holly) is an upright, evergreen tree of symmetrical, dense, pyramidal habit with stout, stiff branches bearing leathery, dark green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), adorned with spine-tipped teeth. Ilex opaca is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees. It produces abundant small greenish-white flowers in spring that are followed by a profusion of attractive bright red berries on pollinated female trees. Extremely showy, they ripen in fall, persist into winter and enliven the winter landscape unless they are devoured by birds.

American Holly is a favorite among birds, drawing in species like the American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, and numerous others. Its vibrant berries and dense foliage offer valuable food and shelter, making it a cherished asset for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Providing excellent year-round interest, American Holly is a popular landscape plant that can be used as a specimen, in groupings or as an evergreen hedge. The fruiting branches are popular Christmas decorations. Both a male and female plant are needed to produce the attractive red berries.

  • Grows up to 15-30 ft. tall (450-900 cm) and 10-20 ft. wide (300-600 cm). American Holly is a very slow-growing tree, adding only 6 in. per year (15 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soils. Excellent drainage is important. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Protect plants from desiccating winter sun and winds.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or in groupings, hedges or foundation plantings. The red fruited-branches make lovely home decorations.
  • Keep an eye out for holly leaf miner, spider mites, whitefly, scale, leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot and powdery mildew. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed in winter, semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or grafting in late summer.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to the eastern and central United States, from Massachusetts to Florida, west to Missouri and Texas.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Common names American Holly, Holly, Christmas Holly
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' - 30'
(4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 10' - 20'
(3m - 6.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Midwest, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ilex vomitoria f. pendula (Weeping Yaupon Holly)
Ilex cornuta ‘Needlepoint’ (Chinese Holly)
Ilex cassine (Dahoon)
Ilex Golden Oakland® (Holly)
Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aesculus pavia (Red Buckeye)
Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice)
Quercus shumardii (Shumard Oak)
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)
Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Small Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
Green Canopy, Better World: Exploring the Benefits of Trees
Trees that Invite Wildlife to Your Garden
37 Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy and Year-Round Interest
Choosing Your Ideal Hedge: A Guide to Top Shrubs for Any Garden
Small Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Appeal
December Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Native Plant Alternatives to Ilex aquifolium (English Holly)
Attractive Evergreen Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
Attractive Deciduous Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Aquifoliaceae
Genus Ilex
Common names American Holly, Holly, Christmas Holly
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' - 30'
(4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 10' - 20'
(3m - 6.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Midwest, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ilex (Holly)
Guides with
Ilex (Holly)
Not sure which Ilex (Holly) to pick?
Compare Now

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