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The height of American holly or Christmas holly ranges from 25 ft. to as tall as 60 ft. in the warmer parts of its range. The stout, stiff branches of this pyramidal evergreen bear dark green, non-glossy, spine-tipped leaves. New growth finally pushes off the old leaves in spring. Bright red berries occur on the female plants. A shorter, multi-trunked form may grow in lower-light situations. The bark is a light gray color. The evergreen fruiting branches from wild and planted trees are popular Christmas decorations.
Many improved varieties are grown for ornament, shade, and hedges. You must have both a male and female plant to have berries, or at least have the opposite sex growing wild somewhere nearby. The male must be the same holly species as the female and bloom at the same time. This is a very slow-growing tree. The whitish, fine-textured wood is especially suited for inlays in cabinetwork, handles, carvings, and rulers, and can be dyed various shades, even black. Many kinds of songbirds, gamebirds, and mammals eat the bitter berries of this and other hollies, but the fruits are poisonous to humans.
Price range: $19.99 through $39.99
Please note: Most pictures represent mature plants. Unless otherwise specified, all of our plants are sold in 4″ pots to make shipping possible and will mature in time.
Learn more about how the process works and how our plants are delivered.
| Native | |
|---|---|
| Wetland Indicator | |
| Sunlight | |
| Special Attributes | Bee Attractor, Bird Attractor, Butterfly Attractor, Evergreen, Salt Tolerant |
| Moisture | |
| Bloom Period | March to June |
| Size | 1 Gallon, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon |
Ilex opaca, commonly known as American Holly, is a distinctive native evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its glossy green foliage, bright red berries, and year-round ornamental appeal. Native to the eastern and central United States, this versatile evergreen is an excellent choice for native plant gardens, woodland landscapes, privacy screens, foundation plantings, hedges, and wildlife-friendly gardens.
Throughout the year, Ilex opaca maintains its attractive, leathery, dark green leaves, which feature the characteristic spiny edges associated with holly. In spring, small white flowers appear and provide an important early-season nectar source for bees and other pollinators. Female plants produce abundant clusters of bright red berries in fall and winter when a compatible male plant is nearby. These berries provide an important food source for birds and other wildlife during the colder months.
American Holly performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and adapts well to a variety of landscape conditions. Its naturally pyramidal form and dense evergreen foliage make it particularly useful for screening, hedging, and providing year-round structure and privacy.
With its glossy evergreen foliage, vibrant red berries, attractive form, and outstanding wildlife value, Ilex opaca is an excellent native evergreen for gardeners looking to add four-season interest, habitat, and lasting beauty to the landscape.
