The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ilex attenuata 'Fosteri' is typically in the late summer and early fall months, from August to October.
foster holly
Ilex attenuata 'Fosteri'
Foster Holly is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States. It is a small shrub, typically growing only 3 to 6 feet tall, and it produces glossy, spiny, dark green leaves. In the spring and summer, white flowers bloom and in the fall, small, bright red berries ripen to attract songbirds. Foster Holly is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that can thrive in a variety of conditions, making it an ideal choice for most landscapes. It will tolerate partial shade or full sun and can be trained as a single-stem specimen or into a shrub border. With its season-spanning beauty, Foster Holly is a perfect choice for any garden.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Air Layering Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
6 - 9
Flowers:
White Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
When it comes to watering, Foster Holly (Ilex attenuata 'Fosteri') requires about 1 inch of water per week. During the warmer months, it may require more water. Water your Foster Holly deeply once or twice a week, rather than shallowly every day, to ensure that the roots absorb enough moisture. After you water your Ilex, always check the soil with your fingers to make sure the water has reached the roots. Too much water can be just as harmful as too little, so it is important to not overwater. Additionally, be sure to water your plant early in the day so that the foliage has plenty of time to dry off before nightfall.
sunlight
Foster holly should be grown in full sun in order to receive the most sunlight for optimum growth. Depending on the season, they can tolerate a few hours of morning or afternoon sun, but ideal conditions for this species would be 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the summer months, be careful to not overexpose this species as it could cause sun-scald. In winter, Foster holly can benefit from some sun protection as the lower intensity of the sun can help keep them from drying out. When planting, make sure to site it in a protected area to help minimize possible exposure to intense temperatures.
pruning
Foster holly should be pruned in the spring season after the risk of frost has passed. Pruning should be done selectively, removing dead, diseased, or damaged foliage with sharp, clean cuts made no more than 1/4 inch above a bud. Prune lightly to encourage dense branching and more compact growth. Pruning of growth can be done to restrict its size and shape as needed for the landscape. Avoid hard pruning; prune no more than 1-third of the previous season’s growth at 1 time.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Foster holly typically begins flowering in April.
Harvest Fruit
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ilex attenuata 'Fosteri' is typically in the late summer and early fall months, from August to October.
