The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf' is in October.
American holly
Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf'
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf') is a compact, evergreen shrub with thick, glossy, dark green foliage. It produces beautiful white blossoms in the spring that bring forth a bounty of bright red berries in late fall. Maryland Dwarf holly grows slowly, topping out at about 4 feet in height and width. It is an ideal choice for smaller spaces, or to fill in gaps in a landscape. Its dense branching habit and lack of sharp spines make it quite drought and shade tolerant. The berries and foliage are quite attractive to birds, so it is a great addition to a wildlife-friendly landscape.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Layering Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 9
Flowers:
Greenish-white Flowers In Spring
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
red,yellow Fruits Ready In
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf') should be watered in a way that keeps the soil damp, but not overly wet or dry. In the warmer months, these plants should be watered deeply every 7-10 days, ensuring that all of the roots have access to moisture. In the cooler months, when the plant is dormant, watering should be reduced to every 2 or 3 weeks. When watering, it’s best to saturate the soil and then let it dry out somewhat before watering again.
sunlight
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf') grows best in bright, indirect sunlight. If possible, it should be situated in an area which gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon when the sunlight is less intense. It will also thrive in partial shade but will not produce as lush foliage or berries as if it was receiving more sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the foliage or damage the branches, so direct sunlight should be avoided.
pruning
American holly (Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf') should be pruned in early spring, before the new leaves start to emerge. Pruning should be done lightly with an eye to maintaining the plant’s natural form. Generally, pruning should be focused on removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Also, some of the inner growth should be removed to increase airflow, reduce the risk of disease, and keep the plant looking attractive. It's best not to prune too much at once, as this can damage the foliage and reduce the plant’s growth.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
American holly typically starts flowering in April.
