Growing American Holly (Ilex opaca)

Holiday decorations may have you contemplating growing an American holly in your landscape. Here is some information to help with your decision.

American holly is native from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Missouri and Texas and is hardy in zones 5 to 9.  The red berries persist into winter and attract songbirds while the flowers attract butterflies and honeybees.  

You’ll need at least one male for every 2 to 3 female plants for fruit production. This slow-growing holly can eventually reach 15-25 feet.

Grow American holly in evenly moist loamy acidic soils with full sun or partial shade. Select a location sheltered from drying winds.

There are more than 1,000 cultivars on the market. Select one known for producing large brightly colored fruit every year with dark green leaves and a dense growth habit.

A bit more information: American holly has been able to survive minus 20 and minus 25-degree temperatures when grown in a protected location. Buy locally grown American holly plants whenever possible. These plants tend to be regionally adapted, so you’ll have greatest success when buying plants raised in growing conditions similar to yours.

Tags

birds butterflies bees holly

Related

Audio

Thistle-like Flowers for the Garden

Audio

Dressing Up Garden Beds

Audio

Prairie Dock

Audio

White Snakeroot

Audio

Stiff Coreopsis Coreopsis palmata

Audio

Prairie or Gray Headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

Audio

Rose of Sharon (Althea Bush)

Audio

Low Maintenance Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Audio

Perennial Ironweed, Vernonia, for the Garden

Audio

Bumblebee Houses and Habitat

• « Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• ...
• 21
• 22
• Next »