Holly Trees & Shrubs

Holly Trees

• Wavy-margined leaves featuring spiny edges are an asset to English holly Ilex aquifolium. English holly grows to 50 feet in USDA zones 7 through 9, giving it a limited range in the United States as to where you can plant it. The female trees, when pollinated, generate colorful red berries. American holly Ilex opaca is more tolerant of cold climates, growing wild from USDA zone 5 through 9. In the northern part of this range, American holly grows between 15 and 30 feet; in the southern regions, it reaches 50 feet. American holly has evergreen foliage and brilliant red fruit that stays on through winter. Nellie R. Stevens, Mac's Prince and Canary are tree-sized cultivars of American holly.

Evergreen Tree or Shrub Hollies

• Yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria grows as either a large shrub or a small tree, developing between 10 and 20 feet in USDA zones 7 through 9. The evergreen yaupon holly is versatile in that it grows in both dry and wet conditions. The red berries emerge on long stalks on longstalk holly Ilex pedunculosa, a Japanese and Chinese holly growing to between 10 and 30 feet in zones 5 through 8. Chinese holly Ilex cornuta grows as an 8- to 10-foot shrub or a tree to 25 feet tall. Its rectangular, evergreen leaves have three spines on their ends.

Evergreen Holly Shrubs

• Inkberry Ilex glabra is an evergreen holly shrub growing between 4 and 8 feet tall. It produces black fruit on its female plants. American holly Clarendon is a dwarf form with red-orange berries and olive-green foliage. Maryland Dwarf grows 3 feet high but 10 feet wide, with glossy leaves. Japanese holly Ilex crenata "Golden Gem" is a shrub with yellow foliage. This is a male cultivar without the ability to generate fruit, but it is small enough at between 18 and 24 inches to use in a rock garden.

Deciduous Holly Shrubs

• Possumhaw Ilex decidua is a Southeastern shrub growing to heights from 7 to 15 feet. Possumhaw has tolerance for damp soil, growing from USDA zones 5 through 9. The autumn leaves are shades of yellow or purple-green. Winterberry Ilex verticillata has female plants capable of producing copious amounts of bright red berries. Winterberry has many stems and is one of the cold hardiest hollies, growing from USDA zone 3 into 9. Winter Gold is a winterberry shrub with orange-yellow fruits.