Ilex opaca (American Holly)

Ilex opaca, also commonly called American holly, is a native evergreen tree species known for its spiny, glossy green leaves as well as its showy, persistent, bright red berries through the fall and winter months. Found throughout large sections of the mid-Atlantic and American southeast, American holly is almost synonymous with Christmas, as holly bows and berries adorn decorations and seasonal flower arrangements with their gorgeous green and red color combo. Berries only develop on female trees, and good fruit development will require both male and female trees planted together; both trees bloom and produce small, fragrant white flowers in the late spring and early summer. Naturally growing to 30-50' tall and 10-20' wide in the wild, American hollies are slow-growing trees and will typically only reach about 10-30' tall in home landscapes and nurseries.

Beyond its showy leaves and berries, American holly is well known for its upright, pyramidal shape and its tolerance for a wide range of site conditions, making it an excellent pic as a specimen or for large evergreen hedges and privacy screens. Tolerating full sun to partial shade, deer damage, clay and wet soil conditions, and even some salt content, Ilex opaca is an excellent choice for a number of landscaping needs, and makes a stunning visual impression like no other.