The Varieties of Holly Shrubs

Japanese

• Dwarf Japanese hollies (Ilex crenata) are dense compact shrubs that grow to between 3 and 12 feet tall depending on the cultivar. Ilex crenata 'Helleri' is a smaller cultivar that grows slowly to about 3 feet tall in a mound form. At the other end of the spectrum is Ilex crenata 'Glass' which grows to a height of 12 feet. The oblong-shaped leaves are dark green and less then 2 inches long with finely serrated edges. Small white flowers are produced by both male and female bushes in the spring.

  Female bushes will produce small black berries that ripen in the early fall and remain on the bush well into spring if there is a male Japanese holly planted nearby. Either full or partial sun exposure is fine for these hollies and they are tolerant of most soil conditions but grow best in slightly acid moist but well-drained soil. Japanese hollies are useful as a foundation plant, hedge or border and tolerate shearing.

Inkberry

• Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)--also referred to as gallberry, bitter gallberry, evergreen winterberry and Appalachian tea--grows slowly to a height and width of about 8 feet with a more upright oval growth habit than the Japanese hollies. As it matures it tends to develop an open, leggy form. The leaves are small, only 1 to 2 inches long, dark green and shiny with smooth edges except at the ends where they are finely toothed. The foliage turns plum or purple in the fall. Flowers are produced by male and female plants. The females produce small green berries that gradually turn black as they ripen and remain on the bush throughout the winter months. The berries are enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

Yaupon

• 'Nana' dwarf yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) grows slowly in a dense, round form to a height of 7 to 10 feet tall with an equal or greater width. Both males and females will flower in the spring, but this type rarely produces berries. The gray-green leaves are less than 2 inches long with serrated edges. Nana is a very hardy type of holly that can be planted in full sunlight or light shade in a dry or wet location. Salty, ocean-side locations are not a problem for this plant and it is drought tolerant once established. This shrub is useful in hedge, foundation, container or mass plantings.