The science of preserving nature since 1964

When it comes to lining a fence or screening your property, American Holly is a great choice. A versatile shrub with great winter contrast, this plant is actually native to North America and so it thrives in our area and can be found in the wild or in any type of landscape.

Latin Name: Ilex opaca

Common Name(s): American Holly, White Holly, Evergreen Holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly.

Tree Type: Evergreen tree, this tree keeps its foliage year-round.

Sun and Water Requirements: Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree. It is sensitive to drought.

Expected growth: The slow-growing American Holly has a pyramidal shape and its height ranges from 25ft to as tall as 50ft in the warmer zones.

Foliage: The non-glossy, spine-tipped leaves are a dark green. The branches bear small white flowers in Spring that turn to bright red berries on the female plants, which require that a male plant of the same species growing somewhere nearby.

Landscape Value: In addition to being very popular for screening, winter interest and as Christmas decorations, this tree can be used as a hedge, for screening, for foundation plantings or as a stand-alone specimen or for shade. Many kinds of songbirds and mammals eat the bitter berries, but the fruits are poisonous to humans.