Species American holly
Red fruit with light-green stem, green leaves, yellow blades, yellow midrib and veins.

American holly

Ilex opaca 'Greenleaf'

American holly (Ilex opaca 'Greenleaf') is an evergreen tree native to North America. It reaches up to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide and is easily recognizable by its waxy, dark green leaves and red berries. The fruit is an important food source for birds and animals. Its thick, waxy leaves form a dense canopy of foliage to provide year round shade and privacy. Its white flowers in spring are fragrant, which makes them attractive for hummingbirds. American holly is an ideal evergreen choice for any garden as it can tolerate a wide range of soils and require minimal maintenance. It is easy to grow and is pest and disease resistant so it is a very dependable and dependable choice.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Greenish-white Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

green,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 should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the season. During the growing season and warm weather months, it should be watered more often, about 1-2 inches every 7-10 days. During the cooler months, it should only be watered every 2-3 weeks. Water at the roots of the plant, and avoid splashing the leaves. Make sure the soil is evenly moist but not too soggy, and make sure it has good drainage.

sunlight

American holly (Ilex opaca 'Greenleaf') should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably during the morning. While it can tolerate more sunlight, it is best to avoid intense afternoon sunlight which can dry out foliage and burn the leaves. American holly should also be planted in an area that provides some protection from strong winds which can cause foliage to dry out and scorch.

pruning

American holly (Ilex opaca 'Greenleaf') can be pruned any time from late winter to early spring. When pruning American holly, the best approach is to cut back just the outermost branches, reducing their size by no more than a quarter of their original length. This will help to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant. However, if the plant is particularly overgrown, it can be cut back more drastically. It is important to only trim what is necessary to restore the size and shape of the plant, as pruning too much can negatively affect the health of the American holly.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Ilex opaca 'Greenleaf' fruits typically begins in October and continues through December.

Starts Flowering

American holly typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map