Ilex opaca 'Clarendon Spreading' (Dwarf American Holly) Unity Grown

Ilex opaca 'Clarendon Spreading,' occasionally called Clarendon spreading American holly or just 'Clarendon,' is a unique female cultivar of American holly. Although 'Clarendon Spreading' is a cultivar of Ilex opaca, which is usually capable of reaching heights of up to 50' tall, this spreading variety, similar to 'Maryland Dwarf,' instead slowly crawls along the ground, reaching a maximum height of only three to four feet while it spreads outward up to eight feet wide. This cultivar is slow growing, with moderate production of orange or red berries when planted close to a male holly.

As with typical American hollies, 'Clarendon Spreading' grows best in full sun to part-shade and in moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils, especially those with a good mix of sandy loam. Male plants are required to produce the telltale red holly berries, but even without berries, this holly is absolutely striking in the landscape and works great as groundcover, as an accent plant, or for mixed bed gardens.