The sharp, spiny leaves of the Holly tree in all parts of the world, are easily recognizable when used as decorations around the time of the Christmas holidays, a festivity where it has played a significant role for centuries.
But what else do you know about the Holly tree and its berries?
Did you know that they can grow up to 50 feet tall, groomed to stay at just 2 feet small, or trimmed to be as thick as a hedge?
Did you know that there are nearly 500 species and that not all of them have leaves with spines?
This guide provides information about this beautiful species and explores 50 holly tree types that grow near or in the United States and the UK, and offering planting, pruning and care tips to ensure that your Holly trees flourish, staying deep, dark green year round.
Holly
(Ilex)
- Family: Aquifoliaceae
- Genus: Ilex
- Leaf: Glossy green, leathery, and 2-4 inches long with sharp spikes
- Bark: Light gray and smooth
- Seed: One small, gray to brown seed per fruit
- Blossoms: Cream-colored flowers emerge in the spring
- Fruit: Bright berries that are only tasty to animals and birds
- Native Habitat: Soil that is moist, loamy, and well-draining
- Height: 40-50 feet
- Canopy: 18-40 feet
- Type: There are both deciduous and evergreen types within the species
- Native Growing Zone: Asia, Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern United States
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Ranking
Least Concern
Image Credit: Ildefonso Gómez Sierra (IldeGomez)50
The American Holly: Tree Growing Zone and Decription
The Aquifoliaceae family has produced various cultivars of the woody, broadleaf evergreen tree known as the American Holly (Ilex opaca), the species mostly known for growing as a tree or shrub in forest areas in the central and southeastern regions of the United States.
Just as content to be growing in full sun or partial light shade, the Holly Tree nevertheless relies on its roots planted firmly in moist, neutral to acidic soil for its Holly Tree growing zone. It can survive in a variety of soil textures but these are not drought tolerant trees nor, conversely, do they tolerate being flooded.
With that in mind, avoid poorly drained soils and protect them from the harsh winter winds and too much direct sunlight on your plants by ensuring there is enough shade if your climate is particularly scorching in the summer.9
As smaller hedges or sentinel trees, hollies are perfect for use as privacy trees if they are planted closer together.
But be aware that the berries are toxic to pets and children, yet at the same time are a good source of food for other forms of wildlife, with some species of birds building nests among the spiny leaves, using them as a protective barrier against predators.
What Is A Holly Tree? (How To Identify Holly Tree)
The holly has over 570 species of flowering plants but is the sole living genus in the family Aquifoliaceae.
Incredibly, it grows everywhere, flourishing in both tropical and temperate zones worldwide, with some species even discovered at elevations over 6,000 feet above sea level.
On how to identify Holly Tree, the distinctive leaves speak for themselves, evergreen, coarse, and drawing blood if handled too carelessly.
The flowers are greenish white, small with 4 petals, and are dioecious, either male or female.
The berries, usually red, can often emerge in a variety of colors.
Classified as drupes rather than fruits, the berries can also be black, yellow, or orange, but regardless of the color the toxicity remains. If eaten by a large dog, for example, the symptoms could be mild diarrhea, drowsiness, and vomiting, whereas if overconsumed by a small canine, it could prove fatal.
The overall appearance of the Holly Tree is characterized by density, a multitude of leaves extending from the central stem, and smaller twigs sprouting from that central line to bear even more glossy leaves that crowd together to form an impenetrable plant.
Identifying one species of holly from another out of over 500 and figuring out what is a Holly are not the hardest tasks in the world, but it is the easiest if you include the 1,000 cultivars produced from the American Holly Trees alone.
Holly Tree Growth Rate
Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “How long does it take for a tree to grow?” and the Holly tree growth rate.
It depends. It can take on average about 20 years for a tree to grow to maturity, with some species accumulating an additional 3 feet of height annually.
For the Holly Tree, factors like species or cultivar, environmental conditions, and care provided dictate the speed by which the plant will grow. Although, generally, it is considered a slow-to-moderate grower.
During the first few years, the Holly Tree’s growth will be focused on establishing a solid foundation with a strong root system. The first year will have it shooting to just a few inches aboveground, and the next five years to about 10 feet.
Once the foundation is established, the plant’s growth will turn slightly quicker, but still at a moderate rate.
Under ideal conditions, the Holly Tree will eventually hit heights of 40 to 50 feet and widths of 10 to 20 feet to form an attractive pyramidal shape.
50 Types of Holly Trees and Their Growing Zones
There are many types of evergreen trees and types of Holly Trees but none so famous as the Christmas Holly.
But just because you know the best growing conditions for Holly Trees doesn’t mean that you will be able to recognize one if the leaves are different from what you are accustomed to seeing.
This list will reveal a few types of trees in the Aquifoliaceae family that are typical, and a few that are anything but.
1. American Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex opaca5
Leaves: Traditionally spiny and glossy
Berries: Bright red
Height: 15 to 60 feet
USDA plant hardiness zones: 5 to 9
(Image: David J. Stang14)
Details: Cold hardy to 20°F, the iconic tree is easy to care for and after mastering the art of how to prune Holly Trees, it can be trimmed and coaxed into playing a tall tree or a large shrub within your landscape, where it will be always green, and always seen.
(Image: Lairich Rig15)
2. Yellow-Berried American Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex opaca ‘Boyce Thompson Xanthocarpa’
Leaves: Dark green with a few spikes at the front
Berries: Yellow
Height: 20 to 30 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5
Details: A fast-growing specimen that grows conically and straight, as long as you realize how far apart to plant Holly Trees, they can be planted as very private privacy screens.
3. English Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium
Leaves: Dark emerald green
Berries: Red
Height: 15 to 25 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10
(Image: Forest and Kim Starr16)
Details: It does well in USDA hardiness zones 6-10 and can grow just as well in sandy soils as in clay ones.
(Image: Dalgial17)
4. Japanese Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata
Leaves: Small with round, wavy edging
Berries: Dark blue
Height: 4 to 10 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 7
Details: A more compact variety that is ideal for use as borders or hedges. Sometimes known as box-leaved hollies, they are more shrub-like than tree-like in appearance. Study how to trim a Holly Tree to keep it looking neat and trim.
5. Altaclere Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex × altaclerensis
Leaves: Outstanding leaves with a green center, a thick yellow border, and tiny spikes running along the edge.
Berries: Bright red
Height: 20 to 30 feet
(Image: Alan Fryer18)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Details: Very cold hardy and has extremely attractive foliage as it grows into its natural pyramidal form.
(Image: Homer Edward Price19)
6. Myrtle-Leaved Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex myrtifolia7
Leaves: Pale green, tiny and spineless
Berries: Red
Height: 15 to 25 feet on average
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
Details: Flowering in the shade is not a problem for this holly that does well in wetland locations even when the winter is a bit colder than normal.
7. Steeds Holly Trees
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’
Leaves: Tiny leaves that are deep green, and lack any sharp spikes.
Berries: The black berries are a stand-out feature that is hard to ignore and should never be eaten lightly.
Height: 6 to 8 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
(Image: David J. Stang20)
Details: Tiny, pure-white spring blossoms are surrounded by glossy green foliage that gradually darkens throughout the year. This evergreen has tiny leaves and a thick covering of foliage. It can serve as a beautiful screen or a focal point in your backyard.
(Image: Rob Routledge21)
8. Mountain Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex mucronata
Leaves: Dull green instead of shiny
Berries: Small, red, and dangles from the end of long stalks
Height: 10 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Details: The method used to grow a tree like this will determine its height and stature as it’s a flexible specimen that doesn’t mind being tall or small.
9. Hedgehog Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’
Leaves: Variegated coloration with a thick yellow outer border line and glossy green center. The edges are peppered with sharp spines, hence the spikey name.
Berries: Red
Height: 15 to 25 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10
(Image: Agnieszka Kwiecień22)
Details: The twigs are unusual in that they are slightly purple, marking this plant as an attention grabber, and even more so when the tiny white flowers blossom in the spring.
(Image: Leonora (Ellie) Enking23)
10. Chestnut Leaf Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex x koehneana ‘Chestnut Leaf’
Leaves: Up to 16 cm long, mid-green coloration with serrated edges
Berries: Small red
Height: 26 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Details: This fast-growing specimen grows into a tall pyramid whose branches bend back all the way toward the ground.
11. Tarajo Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex latifolia
Leaves: Green on the upside, with an infusion of pale yellow on the downside.
Berries: Red
Height: 15 to 25 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
(Image: David J. Stang24)
Details: Coveted for their leaves, not just because of their dashing good looks but also for the herbal teas that can be brewed from them, called of all things, bitter nail tea.3
(Image: Michael Rivera25)
12. Oak Leaf Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex x ‘Conaf’
Leaves: Small spikes jut from the glossy green leaves that are about 3 inches long
Berries: A mix of orange and red
Height: 15 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Details: Grows naturally into a conical shape, and new leaves emerge first as bronze, turn burgundy and end up as evergreen.
13. Yaupon Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria
Leaves: Narrow and long with fine teeth
Berries: Red
Height: 10 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
(Image: Luteus26)
Details: Grow either as a shrub or a tree, its limbs are equally thick so are often used as windbreaks or privacy trees.
Tall Types of Holly Trees (Growing Zones Holly Plant)
The growing zones for Holly Tree, where to grow them, and the watering needs for Holly Tree plants, will determine how tall they can grow.
Left to its own devices, the Holly Tree can grow to over 80 feet as demonstrated by one in the United Kingdom in Canon Wood that reached a record-breaking 83 feet.
With such a wide list of cultivars, how long it takes to grow Holly Trees to maturity varies from a yearly increase of 6 inches up to 3 feet in height.
Growing a Holly Tree from a seed or growing a Holly Tree from a cutting will also play a role as will how much sunlight does Holly Tree need each day.
(Image: Forest and Kim Starr27)
14. Hawaiian Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex anomala
Leaves: Broad green leaves, with the traditional leathery texture but they are spike-free
Berries: Deep purple, almost black
Height: 30 to 40 feet tall
USDA Hardiness Zones: 11 to 12
Details: Tall by any standard of Holly Trees, it is the only Holly Tree native, and that can grow, in Hawaii.
15. Dahoon Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex cassine
Leaves: Long thick leaves with smooth edges and a central yellow vein
Berries: Red
Height: 20 to 40 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11.
(Image: Forest and Kim Starr28)
Details: Unlike most of their Aquifoliaceae family members, this species is at home in wet environments like swamps and bogs and thrives in areas with higher temperatures.
(Image: カールおじさん29)
16. Kurogane Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex rotunda6
Leaves: Pale green, small and spineless
Berries: Red and very small
Height: Grows up to 40 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Details: Since the leaves do not present an immediate spikey menace, the trees are often planted along streets in its native Japan and is very popular in garden settings.
17. Madame Briot
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium ‘Madame Briot’
Leaves: The outstanding streak of jagged yellow around the edges of the dark green leaves disguise the multiple rows of spikes, but they are there
Berries: Bright red
Height: Up to 40 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
(Image: Jebulon30)
Details: The stems are a deep purple that contrasts against the white flowers, variegated leaves, and red berries.
(Image: Juan Carlos López Almansa31)
18. Small-Leaved Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex canariensis
Leaves: Flat, mat green. No spikes.
Berries: Bright red
Height: Up to 32 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12
Details: This is one of only a few species that are not distributed worldwide, residing in just a few islands off the coast of Africa.
19. Yerba Mate
Scientific Name: Ilex paraguariensis
Leaves: Large, green, and spike-free
Berries: Small and bright red
Height: 20 to 49 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
(Image: cultivar41332)
Details: The leaves contain theobromine and caffeine and are frequently brewed in hot water to make a very popular tea in South America.
Dwarf and Indoor Hollies (Holly Leaves and Berries)
Although eating holly leaves and berries rarely proves fatal to pets, it should still be classed as one of those dangerous trees to watch out for.
The distress and discomfort caused to cats and dogs if their curiosity leads them to the flashy bright red berries or glossy leaves can lead to a quick trip to the vet.
Dwarf Hollies, unfortunately, place both of those within reach so care should be taken where they are planted.
(Image: David J. Stang33)
20. Dwarf Pagoda Japanese Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Dwarf Pagoda’8
Leaves: Tiny and without spines, growing densely together
Berries: Black
Height: 18 inches
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Details: It has a wonderfully compact shape and needs no pruning to keep looking nice and tidy in its container on a counter in your home. When planted outdoors, it is often used as a filler plant.
21. Japanese Holly Brass Buckle
Scientific Name: Ilex Crenata ‘Brass Buckle’
Leaves: Yellow
Berries: Red
Height: 1 to 2 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 8
Details: This cute cultivar is perfect for growing in pots inside or outside and would look wonderful along walkways, to brighten up borders or nourished in a decorative container on your balcony.
22. Blue Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex meserveae
Leaves: Blue-green
Berries: Red
Height: 3 to 6 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
(Image: Famartin34)
Details: A beautiful specimen that has purple stems with leaves that maintain a blue-green hue throughout the year, a distinct coloration that has earned it the nickname, “The Blue Princess Holly”.
23. Hoogendorn
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Hoogendorn’
Leaves: Small and dark green
Berries: No fruits on the male variety.
Height: 2 to 3 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Details: As a plant kept indoors, it requires very little pruning and is easy to care for. If planted outside, mulching around trees like this is recommended.
(Image: Michael Rivera35)
24. Inkberry Shamrock
Scientific Name: Ilex Glabra ‘Shamrock’
Leaves: Emerald green, long, and smoothed-edged
Berries: Dark blue berries
Height: Up to 4 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Details: Does well when used as a hedge or border plant, yet delights in soaking its roots in boggy gardens, beside ponds, and along riverbanks.
25. Handsworth New Silver
Scientific Name: Ilex Aquifolium ‘’Handsworth New Silver’
Leaves: Dark green, small leaves, lined with a white line and rimmed by tiny spines
Berries: Bright red and seedless, but still toxic
Height: 20 to 30 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: Quite a big tree with a spread of up to 15 feet so will need room to grow unless pruning techniques are used regularly to control its dense foliage.2
Deciduous Holly Tree Identification (American Holly Tree)
It makes no difference when to plant Holly Tree for the best yield in regards to the leaves, as whether the Holly Tree is evergreen or deciduous was decided eons ago when it comes to Holly Tree identification.
Fortunately, there are not many types that cast off their leaves but the ones that do hang on to their fruits so that even when their branches are no longer decked out with green, the shiny berries are still around to help with tree pollination and the feeding of the birds.
(Image: Homer Edward Price36)
26. Carolina Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex ambigua
Leaves: Pale green, untraditionally smooth, and tapering to a point
Berries: Bright red
Height: 15 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: One of its other common names is “Sand Holly” because of the plant’s adaptability to grow well in sandy soils. Unlike other hollies, the bright red fruits from this cultivar are quickly lost during the winter.
27. Possumhaw Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex Decidua
Leaves: A lighter shade of green, turns yellow in the fall before
Berries: Bright red, pink, gold, or blue, depending on the variety
Height: 7 to 15 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
(Image: Pam Morgan37)
Details: Very adaptable to grow in even wet soils, and even though the leaves are not year-round, the berries are.
28. Jim Dandy Winterberry
Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata ‘Jim Dandy’
Leaves: Deep, leathery green
Berries: Red
Height: 6 to 10 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Details: A cold hardy variant that also tolerates wet soil.
29. Finetooth Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex serrata
Leaves: Thin, pale green, and quite small
Berries: Red
Height: 6 to 15 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
(Image: Plant Image Library38)
Details: This cultivar is more cold-hardy than other deciduous types so its leaves may just last a little bit longer.
(Image: Richard Webb39)
30. Winterberry Winter Gold
Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata
Leaves: Long and mat green
Berries: Red and very tiny. On this cultivar, they are bright orange.
Height: Up to 3 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Details: This tough cultivar is born and bred to withstand the cold and set down roots in soggy soils.
Types of Hollies for Containers
Not all Holly Trees are happy to be planted in a pot, although growing a Holly Tree from a seedling in a container is acceptable for most of them as long as the container is changed as the plant grows.
Adhering to a few planting tips for Holly Trees in containers, such as watering a tree more frequently in the early stages of its development, will help you to control the growth and health of your plant with minimum effort.10
31. Southern Living Oakland Holly Tree
Scientific Name: Ilex hybrid ‘Magland’
Leaves: Rich green with smooth edges and growing densely together
Berries: Orange-red
Height: 15 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Details: Even though they can grow quite tall, these hybrids are more than comfortable in containers but may need upgrading to a larger one in about 5 years.
32. Little Rascal Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex x meserveae ‘Mondo’
Leaves: Small jagged-edged foliage that becomes purple in the fall
Berries: As a male, no berries are produced.
Height: 2 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
(Image: Leonora (Ellie) Enking40)
Details: This low-growing shrub can withstand very low temperatures. The dense arrangement of its leaves means it can be molded to whatever size and shape in its container and located in a prime position to be shown off.
33. Touch of Gold
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Adorned’
Leaves: Tiny gold-colored leaves with no spikes
Berries: No berries
Height: 2 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Details: Grows in a rounded form and can be incorporated in the garden as a shrub or kept in a container so it can be moved to various positions to liven up the space in all seasons.
Holly Privacy Screens (Evergreen Holly Tree Leaves and Holly Berry)
The evergreen nature of Holly Trees is one of the qualities of these plants that make other plants envious when they are still green and keen in the middle of winter.
Some of the Holly Tree leaves are hardy enough to stand quite low temperatures and are nice for protecting your privacy, so even though the garden area cannot be fully utilized in the summer months for barbeques, it can still be appreciated for looking vibrant and well-maintained.
(Image: KENPEI41)
34. Chinese Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex cornuta
Leaves: Dark green and leathery
Berries: Red
Height: 15 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: Known as the “Horned Holly” in China and eastern Korea, it is considered to be the fastest-growing holly and has become labeled as an invasive species in several southern states.
35. Nellie Stevens Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex x Nellie R. Stevens
Leaves: Glossy leaves that have no more than 3 prickly spikes, and are 2-4 inches long
Berries: Red
Height: 20 to 30 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
(Image: Famartin42)
Details: When planted and kept in full sunshine and moist soil, they grow quickly in tight rows with dense leaves, and can be utilized as smaller privacy screens to block prying eyes.1
36. Screen Play Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex integra × latifolia ‘Screen Play’
Leaves: Spineless leaves that are long, thin, and taper to a point
Berries: Red
Height: 30 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: Both the evergreen leaves and the berries will continue to feature on this cultivar all year round as long as it gets a consistent supply of TLC.
37. Needlepoint Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex cornuta ‘Needlepoint’
Leaves: Dark green, the leaves are spineless and edged with a thin yellow line
Berries: Deep red
Height: 15 to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
(Image: David J. Stang43)
Details: A maintenance-free specimen that is perfect for planting on a boundary line to create a high level of privacy.
(Image: Alpsdake44)
38. Longstalk Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex pedunculosa
Leaves: Long and smooth with a yellow vein running down the center to the tip.
Berries: Red
Height: 10 to 30 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Details: The fruit grows at the tip of a stalk so it kind of dangles in mid-air, hence the name. This species tolerates a fair amount of air pollution and salt, which means it is an excellent option for urban living.
Holly Hedges (Red Berry Tree Identification)
Using a holly as decorative evergreen hedging is a sharp choice as the leaves retain their attractive appearance even in the dead of winter, and the berries bunch together to add splashes of red, orange, yellow, or black.
Holly Red Berry Tree identification can be done by scrutinizing the berries’ size, brightness, and even how they collectively bunch together and contribute towards creating a perfect windbreak around your front or backyard.
The thorny foliage also acts as a security barrier against intruders of humankind, whereas birds are more than happy to take shelter and set up a nest as the berries are a ready source of food for them in the harsh winter months.
39. Dragon Lady Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex aquipernyi
Leaves: Very dark green, almost lustrous
Berries: Bright red
Height: 10 to 15 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 8
(Image: Captain-tucker45)
Details: This cultivar can be grown as a narrow vertical shrub or pruned to whatever size of hedge your property needs to make a bold statement.
40. Ruby Colonnade Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex x crenata ‘RutHol5’ PPAF
Leaves: New foliage starts out as a deep red before turning into an equally deep green.
Berries: As it is a male there are no berries.
Height: 10 to 12 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: An adaptable evergreen shrub that responds well to shearing, making it a great choice for trimming into tall hedges or even as a topiary for framing an entryway.
(Image: Magnus Manske46)
41. Silver Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’
Leaves: Dark green, spikey, and edged with a silver line.
Berries: Bright red and long-lasting
Height: 26 to 40 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Details: This attractive specimen makes eye-catching front hedges bordering the lawn or thick windshield barriers in the back, adding texture in either position.11
42. Magical Amore Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex x meserveae ‘Amore’
Leaves: Light green edged with sharp spines
Berries: Deep red berries
Height: 5 to 7 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Details: A fast-growing, erect female holly that blankets the area in red berries each winter. An attractive specimen for use as a tall or a short hedge, a backdrop, or a boundary plant.
Types of Holly Bush and Shrubs
Sometimes a landscape just needs a low-lying shrub to add a finishing touch, or to fill a gap beneath taller trees, or to be next to companion plants for growing Holly Trees and Holly Bush.
Here are a few that may be up to the job.
43. Hetz Japanese Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Hetzii’
Leaves: Tiny, emerald green with smooth margins
Berries: Black
Height: 3 to 6 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Details: This cultivar ‘Hetzii’ of the Japanese Holly plant is compact, has a spherical appearance and is very suited to be a shrub to add some dimension in a busy garden.
44. Japanese Holly Sky Pencil
Scientific Name: Ilex Crenata ‘Sky Pencil’
Leaves: Small and green but without the usual sharp spikes
Berries: Red but turn black in the fall when they ripen
Height: 6 to 10 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 8
(Image: Derek Ramsey47)
Details: The Sky Pencil Holly Tree develops into slender, vertical columns and has an unusual feature in the manner in which it resembles a smaller, more compact version of a Poplar Tree.
45. Blue Prince
Scientific Name: Ilex Meserveae Blue Prince
Leaves: With serrated spikey edges, the leaves have a hint of blue in their shiny green exterior.
Berries: Bright red
Height: 1 to 4 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Details: Birds love the vivid red berries that accompany the beautiful white blossoms on the Blue Prince Holly from August well into autumn. A must-have for any garden that wants to attract pollinators.12
(Image: David J. Stang48)
46. Green Lustre Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex crenata ‘Green Lustre’
Leaves: Small, glossy, and dark green
Berries: Black
Height: Up to 4 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Details: With lovely dense small green leaves, without sharp spines, this plant as an ornamental shrub is quite impressive.
47. Hascombensis
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium ‘Hascombensis’
Leaves: Tapers to a point with yellow edging
Berries: Red
Height: 8 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 8
Details: Although it can grow to 8 feet, it is a slow grower and sits nicely off to the side as a shrub, or grows just as nicely in a container.
48. Micron Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria ‘Gremicr’
Leaves: Small and light green, and completely sharp spike-free.
Berries: No berries4
Height: 1 to 2 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: Growing wider than it is tall, this shrub can be shaped to just how you like it, to be wherever you want it to be; either as a small hedge or lining a walkway.
(Image: Leonora (Ellie) Enking49)
49. Common Holly (Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata)
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium ‘Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata’
Leaves: Incredible foliage with streaks of yellow painted with different shades of green, and fully rimmed with spikes.
Berries: No berries
Height: 5 to 6 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Details: The variegation of the leaves marks this cultivar as something special in whatever setting it is placed. It is a slow-growing plant with a compact form.
50. JC van Tol Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium ‘JC van Tol’
Leaves: Broad, dark olive green, and absent any prickly spines
Berries: Red
Height: Up to 20 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
Details: From a small shrub, this holly has purple-colored twigs and can grow into a medium-sized tree with a thin trunk and a broad canopy.
Holly Tree Facts About Holly Tree Flower, Holly Tree Seeds, and Holly Berries
Below are some of the must-know Holly Tree facts:
- If Holly Berries are placed in a spot that is mostly shaded, the density of leaves on a Holly Tree can be reduced.
- The leaves and berries actually emit fragrant, attractive scents, a trait they are not known for.
- A type of tea to relieve the symptoms of the common cold is brewed from the leaves of the Tarajo holly.
- Do trees have genders? The answer to that is quite complicated but since the Holly Tree is a dioecious type, it means that this particular plant is either male or female and the male plant has to be in the vicinity of at least 3 females to initiate pollination on the Holly Tree flower or Holly Tree seeds.
Holly Tree Care
The best times to plant hollies that have been cultivated in containers are in the autumn, winter, and spring, and once established, they require hardly any maintenance.
If trained and pruned into a formal pyramid shape, they can be grown as freestanding points of interest, used to create dense hedges for privacy, and are ideal for large pots on either side of a patio.
It would be safe to assume that this type of tree would be shunned because of its extremely sharp spikes and toxic berries, yet its sheer versatility and evergreen leaves have made the Holly Tree a gardener’s best friend.
Holly Tree Disease Prevention
Wondering how to stop Holly Tree diseases or steps on Holly Tree disease prevention?
A proper irrigation schedule and the simple technique of watering the roots and not pouring water over the leaves will help to keep your plant healthy. Any signs of the fungus can be treated with fungicides or the infected parts trimmed away.
Holly leaf miners and scale insects are two common pests of the holly tree and can be treated with horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps.13
One method of natural pest control for Holly Tree is to introduce natural predators.
For example, the existence of ladybugs in your garden can help reduce the number of spider mites that may plague your Holly Tree.
When choosing Holly trees for outdoor landscaping, the rich beauty is not only pleasing to the eye, but can provide deterrents when planted under windows and near doors.
Keep your Holly tree healthy by ensuring the proper amount of shade, sunlight and water (as well as ventilation) and you’ll be able to enjoy them for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holly Trees
Which State Has the American Holly as the State Tree?
Delaware has it’s state tree as the Holly.
How Much Carbon Does Holly Tree Sequester on Average?
So, how much carbon does Holly Tree sequester? An average Holly Tree will sequester about 25kg of C02 per year.
What Is Holly Tree Symbolism?
Holly Tree symbolism is for immortality and fertility.
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References
1Carignan, C. K. (2023, April 21). Plants for Mixed Privacy Screens. University of Maryland Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://extension.umd.edu/resource/plants-mixed-privacy-screens>
2Fair, B. (2020, April 7). General Pruning Techniques. NC State Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/general-pruning-techniques>
3Harvard Medical School. (2021, October 21). The Health Benefits of 3 Herbal Teas. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/the-health-benefits-of-3-herbal-teas>
4Kapadia, S. (2023, July 5). Why Doesn’t My Holly Have Berries? The Pennsylvania State University Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://extension.psu.edu/why-doesnt-my-holly-have-berries>
5NC State Extension. (2023). Ilex opaca. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plan Toolbox. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-opaca/>
6NC State Extension. (2023). Ilex cornuta ‘Rotunda’. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-cornuta-rotunda/>
7NC State Extension. (2023). Ilex myrtifolia. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-myrtifolia/>
8Oregon State University. (2023). Ilex crenata ‘Dwarf Pagoda’. Oregon State University Landscape Plants. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/ilex-crenata-dwarf-pagoda>
9Patton, D. (2023, July 11). Defining Sun Requirements for Plants. Kansas State University Research and Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/miscellaneous/defining-sun-requirements-for-plants.html>
10Pennisi, B. V. (2022, August 18). Gardening in Containers. University of Georgia Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C787&title=gardening-in-containers>
11Reich, J., Hughes, H., & Ells, J. E. (2020, May). Hedges. Colorado State University Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/07208.pdf>
12Schmotzer, C. (2023, July 5). Pollination and Pollinators. The Pennsylvania State University Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://extension.psu.edu/pollination-and-pollinators>
13Talabac, M. (2022, March 4). Pesticide Profile: Horticultural Oil. University of Maryland Extension. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from <https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pesticide-profile-horticultural-oil>
14Ilex opaca Miss Hele Photo by David J. Stang / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_opaca_Miss_Helen_3zz.jpg>
15Holly with yellow berries Photo by Lairich Rig / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holly_with_yellow_berries_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1073755.jpg>
16Ilex aquifolium (English or European holly) Photo by Forest and Kim Starr / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/starr-environmental/24587685619/>
17Ilex crenata in Hampyung, Korea Photo by Dalgial / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:꽝꽝나무_열매와_잎.JPG>
18Aeron Celyn – Holly Berrie Photo by Alan Fryer / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aeron_Celyn_-_Holly_Berries_-_geograph.org.uk_-_634094.jpg>
19Myrtle Leaved Holly Photo by Homer Edward Price / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) . Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/28340342@N08/2945097753/>
20Ilex crenata Steeds Photo by David J. Stang / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_crenata_Steeds_0zz.jpg>
21Ilex mucronata – Mountain Holly fruit Photo by Rob Routledge / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_mucronata_5499290.jpg>
22Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ Photo by Agnieszka Kwiecień / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_aquifolium_%27Ferox_Argentea%27_Ostrokrzew_kolczasty_2019-07-20_01.jpg>
23Ilex x koehneana (Chestnut Leaf Holly) Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/33037982@N04/10429241494/>
24Ilex pernyi x latifolia Photo by David J. Stang / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_pernyi_x_latifolia_2zz.jpg>
25Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Oak Leaf Holly Photo by Michael Rivera / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coastal_Georgia_Botanical_Gardens,_Oak_Leaf_Holly_ilex_conif.jpg>
26Ilex vomitoria Photo by Luteus / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_vomitoria.jpg>
27Ilex anomala (Kawau, aiea) Photo by Forest and Kim Starr / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/starr-environmental/24947764395/>
28Ilex cassine (Dahoon) Photo by Forest and Kim Starr / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/starr-environmental/24348557753/>
29Ilex rotunda Photo by カールおじさん / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:W_kuroganemoti3101.jpg>
30Ilex aquifolium L. “Madame Briot” Photo by Jebulon / Public Domain. Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_aquifolium_L._"Madame_Briot"_JdP.jpg>
31Ramilla de Ilex canariensis (acebiño) con fruto Photo by Juan Carlos López Almansa / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_canariensis_en_el_PN_de_Garajonay_(La_Gomera).jpg>
32Ilex paraguariensis Yerba Maté Holly Tree Photo by cultivar413 / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) . Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/131880272@N06/34425634882/>
33Ilex crenata Dwarf Pagoda Photo by David J. Stang / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_crenata_Dwarf_Pagoda_0zz.jpg>
34Berries in autumn on a Blue Holly along Tranquility Court Photo by Famartin / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020-10-07_10_13_29_Berries_in_autumn_on_a_Blue_Holly_along_Tranquility_Court_in_the_Franklin_Farm_section_of_Oak_Hill,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg>
35Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Inkberry ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’ Photo by Michael Rivera / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coastal_Georgia_Botanical_Gardens,_Inkberry_ilex_glabra_%27Shamrock%27.jpg>
36Sand Holly Photo by Homer Edward Price / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) . Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/28340342@N08/2942343195/in/photolist-5u1h86>
37Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) in Arkansas Photo by Pam Morgan / CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/196257575@N03/52547413463>
38Ilex serrata (Japanese Winterberry, Finetooth Holly) Photo by Plant Image Library / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/138014579@N08/37034244222/>
39Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray – common winterberry Photo by Richard Webb / Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_verticillata_1480226.jpg>
40Ilex x meserveae ‘Little Rascal Mondo’ Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/33037982@N04/32850575923>
41Ilex cornuta Photo by KENPEI / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_cornuta4.jpg>
42Nellie R. Stevens holly berries and flowers along Mountain View Road Photo by Famartin / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2023-04-18_13_40_44_Nellie_R._Stevens_holly_berries_and_flowers_along_Mountain_View_Road_in_the_Mountainview_section_of_Ewing_Township,_Mercer_County,_New_Jersey.jpg>
43Ilex cornuta Needlepoint Photo by David J. Stang / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_cornuta_Needlepoint_2zz.jpg>
44Ilex pedunculosa fruit Photo by Alpsdake / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_pedunculosa_fruit.jpg>
45Ilex x aquaprneii ‘Dragon Lady’ Holly Photo by Captain-tucker / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_x_aquaprneii_%27Dragon_Lady%27_Holly.JPG>
46Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’ (Aquifoliaceae) leaf Photo by Magnus Manske / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_aquifolium_%27Argentea_Marginata%27_(Aquifoliaceae)_leaf.jpg>
47Japanese Holly Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ Plants Photo by Derek Ramsey / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Holly_Ilex_crenata_%27Sky_Pencil%27_Plants_2448px.jpg>
48Ilex crenata Green Luster Photo by David J. Stang / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex_crenata_Green_Luster_0zz.jpg>
49Ilex aquifolium ‘Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata’ surrounded by Heathers Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking / Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped, Resized and Changed Format. From Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/33037982@N04/30494579945/>
50Holly Bush Green Red Nature Plant Photo by Ildefonso Gómez Sierra (IldeGomez). (2017, October 19) / Pixabay Content License. Cropped and added text, shape, and background elements. Pixabay. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from <https://pixabay.com/photos/holly-bush-green-red-nature-plant-2865955/>