American holly
Ilex opaca 'Mae'
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 9
Flowers:
Greenish-white Flowers In Spring
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
red Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
watering
American Holly (Ilex opaca 'Mae') should be watered once a week, using approximately 1 inch of water. When watering American Holly ensure to evenly moisten the soil around the plant, and avoid getting the leaves wet. It is important to not over water, as this could cause root rot in the plant. During summer months, it is a good idea to check the soil frequently to ensure it is evenly moist. If the soil is too dry, water the American Holly more frequently until the soil is moist. During winter months, the American Holly needs very little water, depending on the climate, as too much water could damage the plant.
sunlight
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Mae') thrives in direct sunlight for up to 6 hours a day. This evergreen shrub prefers a sunny spot with some protection from strong winds in order to remain healthy. As for its water needs, it should be watered evenly during the spring and summer months and then decreased during the winter months. An added bonus is that this plant species is very tolerant of shade, so you can still have nice foliage even if you can't provide it full sun all the time.
pruning
American holly should be pruned in late winter to early spring. The amount of pruning should be kept to a minimum to prevent shock to the plant.Light trimming or pruning can be done to remove dead or diseased branches. For a more controlled look, American holly can also be pruned to maintain its shape and encourage a denser growth. It's not necessary to prune American holly every year, but it should be done every few years.
