Species American holly Guide
clusters of small, rounded, red berries, yellow-green, thorny-margined lanceolate leaves, and brown stems

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.