American Holly

Ilex opaca

612 River Avenue

American holly is native to the eastern and southern U.S., mostly along the coast. The heydey of American holly culture was from the 1940s into the 60s, and currently more than a 1000 cultivars exist. American holly can reach 40 to 50 feet in height with a spread of 20 to 40 feet under good conditions. Its shape is densely pyramidal in youth, becoming open, irregular and picturesque in age.

This holly is one of the few evergreen broadleaf trees that are hardy for our area. It does best transplanted in spring into good, moist, loose, acid, well-drained soil, in partial shade or full sun. Avoid extremely dry, windy, unprotected areas. It makes a nice specimen plant or planted in groupings. Holly requires both a male and female plant for fruit to set.

Nominated by: Jill Blake