American holly
Ilex opaca 'Mamie Eisenhower'
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Division,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
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Mamie Eisenhower') should be watered deeply and consistently, using about 1 inch of water per week. Keep the soil lightly moist at all times but avoid overwatering. During the summer months, when the plant is actively growing, it is recommended to raise the amount of water to 1.5 inches per week. In cooler months, and particularly in the winter, the amount of water can be reduced.
sunlight
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Mamie Eisenhower') thrives in sunny locations, but it is important to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day to avoid damage to the foliage. This species prefers 6-8 hours of direct sun daily, ideally morning sun with afternoon shade. It is also important to give this plant adequate air circulation, so avoid planting it too close to buildings or other structures.
pruning
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Mamie Eisenhower') should be pruned annually in late winter or early spring. Be sure to prune out any damaged or dead branches first. Then, select branches that are growing badly, too close together, or too far away from the main canopy. Prune back 1/4 to 1/3 of the longer branches, and thin out densely-clustered shoots. Bear in mind that pruning should be done with caution, as American holly is a slow-growing species. Doing too much pruning at once can stunt the growth of the plant.
