Species longstalk holly
elliptic, green, smooth leaves with red berries and reddish-brown stems

longstalk holly

Ilex pedunculosa

Longstalk holly (Ilex pedunculosa) is a native evergreen shrub with an upright, pyramidal form and glossy, dark green, leathery leaves. It grows slowly to a height of 15-20 feet and has stout, stiff branches that grow in an upward and outward direction creating a round shape. Its stems are also quite long and covered with small, sharp thorns. The holly is adorned with white blooms in the late spring and early summer months, followed by black berries in the late summer and fall. Longstalk holly is a attractive choice for privacy hedges and woodland gardens and can also be used as a windbreak.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

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

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Greenish white Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

red,yellow Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Longstalk holly (Ilex pedunculosa) can be watered deeply and infrequently. Aim to provide 1 deep watering per month during the warmer growing season. Water should be applied slowly and deeply so that the water can penetrate deeply into the soil and reach the root system. Water should be applied to the point that it begins to trickle out of the bottom of the pot. In the peak of the summer season, it may be beneficial to water twice a month in extreme heat. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering to every other month or less, depending on the existing soil and climatic conditions.

sunlight

Longstalk holly prefers sun to partial shade for its best growth results, meaning it will need at least 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight every day. It can also grow well even in full shade, but this will significantly slow its growth. During the summer, it is recommended to keep Longstalk holly in the shade during the afternoon when the sun is at its strongest and can become too intense for the plant. While partial sun is generally sufficient to keep Longstalk holly healthy and thriving, it may benefit from full sun in cooler climates and when daylight is in short supply.

pruning

When it comes to pruning Longstalk Holly, it's best to do it right after flowering for the health of the plant. Pruning should consist of removing any unproductive stems, deadheaded flowers, and thinning out crossing or rubbing branches. Make sure not to prune too much, as it can stress the plant. Longstalk holly can also be lightly pruned in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and size. Remember to use sharp, clean pruning tools to prevent bug or fungus problems.

Season

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

The harvesting season for Ilex pedunculosa typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Longstalk holly typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Ilex pedunculosa typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map