Ilex glabra | Fine Gardening Genus: Ilex The inkberry holly has narrow, glossy, spineless leaves and tiny black fruits. The narrow foliage produces a much finer texture than that of many other hollies. A slow-growing, evergreen shrub native to eastern North America, it produces greenish white, inconspicuous flowers in spring, followed by jet black drupes the size of peas. The fruit can persist until the next spring unless eaten by birds. Ilex glabra is rather more casual in form than the spinier hollies and can be used in borders, around ponds, as foundation plantings, or in woodland gardens. Noteworthy Characteristics: Native to the eastern United States. Evergreen, spineless foliage. Black fruit is consumed by birds. Care: Moist but well-drained, organically rich soil in full sun. Plant or transplant in spring. Pruning, if any, should be done in late winter or early spring. Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn. Ilex are slow to germinate from seed, sometimes taking several years. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or early fall. Problems: Aphids may attack new growth.

Scale insects, leaf miners, and Phytophthora root rot can sometimes be problems. Overview Holly (National Gardening Association) 4-Season interest Site Selection In general, hollies prefer a site with full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Some species, such as inkberry (Ilex glabra) , are adapted to wet areas. Most hollies prefer slightly acidic soil; however, some species, such as winterberry (I. verticillata) , require more acidic soils. Planting Instructions Plant in spring or fall. Space plants 5 to 25 feet apart, depending on the expected mature size of the plants. Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. If your soil is in very poor condition, amend the soil you've removed from the hole with a small amount of compost. Otherwise don't amend it at all. Carefully remove the plant from the container and set it in the hole. Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Let the water drain, then fill the remainder of hole with soil and water thoroughly.

Care Apply a layer of compost under the tree each spring, spreading it out to the dripline (the area under the outermost branches). Add a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the tree trunk. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Hollies require little pruning. They will, however, tolerate the severe pruning required for formal hedges and topiaries. Prune in spring to optimize berry production. Other Plant Care Guides in Trees, Shrubs and Vines HGIC 1066 Holly : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina The Holly (Ilex) genus consists of more than 400 species. Hollies offer a diverse range of plant characteristics. They can be deciduous or evergreen and vary from small (18 inches) to very large (over 50 feet). Landscape Use Smaller hollies are attractive as foundation plantings or low hedges. Larger evergreen hollies make attractive, impenetrable tall hedges or screens. Cultivation Most hollies require well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acid.

All appreciate mulch to deter weeds and keep the soil moist and cool. Hollies will grow in sun or part shade, but for the best berry production and most compact growth choose a sunny spot. Some hollies are self-fertilizing, but others are exclusively female and need a male plant nearby for pollination. Check with your nursery owner about whether the hollies you are buying need both male and female plants to set fruit. Containerized plants can be set out at any time, but early fall is best. Problems Poor fruiting on hollies is a problem experienced by many gardeners. This could be due to poor pollination; young, immature plants; high nitrogen levels in the soil; or a late spring frost which injured the flowers. Common pests on hollies are scale, bud moth, red mites and leafminers. Root rot diseases are a problem with several Japanese cultivars. Species The Japanese hollies (Ilex crenata): The Japanese hollies are evergreen shrubs with relatively small, spineless leaves and black fruit. They are usually 3 to 10 feet high, with a similar spread and look more like a boxwood than a holly.

They range from slow-growing to relatively fast-growing, and are a good choice for hedges. Japanese hollies tolerate severe pruning. Many cultivars are available. Some of them are: 'Helleri' is a compact form, which reaches 4 feet at maturity. 'Convexa' has dark-green leaves, is a heavy fruit producer and may reach 9 feet tall and 24 feet wide. 'Hetzii' is a dwarf form of 'Convexa' and grows 2 to 3 feet in height. 'Roundleaf' is a male selection that does not produce berries. Plants grow 5 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 12 feet wide. 'Helleri' Japanese holly growing as a high groundcover or mass planting. Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension The Chinese hollies (Ilex cornuta): The Chinese hollies produce large, spiny leaves that are very glossy and dark green in color. Most Chinese hollies grow quite large, 10 to 15 feet. They are one of the few hollies that produce berries without pollination.

'Burfordii' or Burford holly grows to 20 feet tall and wide. The heavy fruit set attracts many birds. 'Rotunda' or Dwarf Chinese holly grows only to 3 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Plants usually do not produce berries. 'Berries Jubilee' is a dome-shaped plant, 6 to 10 feet tall, with large leaves and a heavy crop of large, bright red berries. American holly on the corner of a screen planting. Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension American Holly (Ilex opaca): American holly is the traditional Christmas holly with large, spiny green leaves and bright red berries. American hollies grow into trees to 50 feet tall. Many cultivars exist. Among the best known are: 'Dan Fenton' has large, glossy leaves. 'Jersey Delight' and 'Jersey Princess'; 'Jersey Knight' is the male pollen source. 'Merry Christmas' with glossy, deep green leaves and red berries. 'Stewart's Silver Crown' with leaves edged in cream and marbled with gray green. 'Yellow Berry' with bright yellow berries.

English Holly (Ilex aquifolium): English holly is an evergreen tree with very spiny, glossy foliage and bright red berries. Cultivars with white variegated leaf margins are very distinctive. English hollies dislike poor drainage and low temperatures. Their growth rate is quite slow. Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria): Yaupon holly is native from Long Island, New York to central Florida and west to Texas. In South Carolina it grows into a small evergreen tree, 3 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide. Female plants produce small red berries in large clusters. New growth has a purplish tinge, which turns dark green. Yaupon Holly tolerates wind and hot climates better than most evergreen hollies. Some cultivars are: 'Nana' or 'Dwarf Yaupon Holly,' a small, mound-like shrub, 3 to 5 feet high and very broad; 'Pendula', a weeping type, reaching 15 to 20 feet with beautiful fruit. The berries of yaupon holly are especially bright.

Joey Williamson, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension Possumhaw (Ilex decidua): Possumhaw is a deciduous small tree, 6 to 10 feet tall, with dark green, 3-inch leaves and orange to red berries, which last into winter or spring. Inkberry (Ilex glabra): Inkberry is an evergreen shrub, to 10 feet tall, with thick, spineless leaves and black berries. The dwarf form 'Compacta' grows to 4 feet, but can be sheared to make a 2-foot hedge. The fine texture of inkberry makes it a good substitute for boxwood. Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension Lusterleaf Holly (Ilex latifolia): is a slow-growing evergreen tree, to 30 feet tall. Leaves are 6 to 8 inches long (largest of all hollies). Lusterleaf holly has the largest leaves of all hollies.

Joey Williamson, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension Meserve Holly (Ilex meserveae): Meserve holly is a 6- to 7-foot, evergreen shrub that is very cold hardy. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): Winterberry is a deciduous shrub, which unlike most hollies thrives in boggy soils. Plants grow 6 to 10 feet tall and female plants bear enormous crops of bright red berries that last all winter. Even young winterberry hollies bear abundant bright berries. Joey Williamson, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension 'Nellie R. Stevens' Holly: 'Nellie R. Stevens' is a cross between English and Chinese holly. This fast-growing cultivar has excellent dark green foliage and large, red berries and makes an excellent specimen tree. Page maintained by: Home & Garden Information Center This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named.

All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Site Index: Native Shrubs for Sale Georgia - Kinsey Family Farm Native Plants - Shrubs American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry spp 3' - 6'. Deciduous shrub. Native to the southeastern United States. American Beautyberry has a loose, open form and outward pointing branches.Tiny pink flowers appear in spring, and in fall the plant is covered in striking violet berries. The berries of 'Welch's Pink' are more pink than the species. American Beautyberry is a best pick for a wildlife garden as berries are readily eaten by birds. Cross pollination often provides for better fruit set in the fall, for best berry crop plant more than one. Anise 'Florida Sunshine', 'Pink Frost' and SPP Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine' or SPP 5' Evergreen shrub.

Shade tolerant, bright yellow fall color. A shade loving evergreen shrub with brilliant yellow green foliage. 'Florida Sunshine' anise is a terrific choice for woodland gardens and shady privacy hedges. The bright chartreuse foliage really shows up in a wooded setting and can be valuable as a contrast plant against darker greens in any landscape design. 'Florida Sunshine' anise is more sun tolerant than the species plant. 'Pink Frost' has a variegated appearance with cream edges and a pink tint. In cold weather 'Pink Frost' anise takes on a lovely, pinkish hue. Native Azaleas 'Admiral Semmes' Fragrant. Rhododendron yellow 10' - 15'. Well suited for our southern climate, is considered a trouble free native azalea. Large, showy, yellow flowers appear in late spring which steal the show in a landscape. Blooms are a vibrant yellow and highly fragrant. 'Admiral Semmes' is a fast growing. large shrub so be sure to give it space! A stunning specimen for a wooded area, 'Admiral Semmes' will show up for a distance while in bloom. 'Camilla's Blush' Fragrant.

Rhododendron soft pink 6' - 8'. This deciduous native azalea is frequently seen as a selection of Piedmont azaleas. 'Camilla's Blush' has highly fragrant, showy, pale pink flowers in spring. It is a must have for the scented garden. Like most native azaleas, 'Camilla's Blush' does not like wet feet so plant this beauty in a well drained spot where it will get some relief from our hot Georgia sun! 'Lisa's Gold' Fragrant. Rhododendron golden yellow 10' - 12'. One of the larger native azaleas, can reach to 12' so give her plenty of room! The blooms are a stunning yellow gold and fill the air with fragrance. Part of the Maid in the Shade Collection, 'Lisa's Gold' is a prolific bloomer even in shady spots. 'My Mary' Fragrant. Rhododendron orange yellow 4' - 6'. A deciduous native hybrid rhododendron with showy, very fragrant flowers in late spring. The blooms are a beautiful orange yellow, tubular shaped and are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

While in bloom, 'My Mary' will scent your entire yard. Foliage is a medium to pale green and emerge late in the season. 'My Mary' is a beautiful shrub for a woodland garden, mass plantings or mixed border. 'Summer Eyelet' Fragrant. Rhododendron white 5'. This native azalea grows an open, airy shape. 'Summer Eyelet' flowers late in the season and will fill a yard with a wonderful, spicy clove like scent. Flowers are pure white with delicate red stamens. A strong growing selection of the native viscosum azalea, 'Summer Eyelet' is a desirable shrub for a shady spot in the garden. 'Tangerine Delight' Fragrant. Rhododendron orange 10'. A hybrid of native species, deciduous. Blooms mid spring with bright orange, show stopping flowers. 'Tangerine Delight' is among the easiest of the native varieties to grow and a great choice for starting a native collection. 'Tangerine Delight' is a prolific bloomer and considered among the best of the orange blooming varieties. Rabbiteye Blueberry Vaccinium ashei Rabbiteye Blueberry.

We carry several cultivar varieties. Rabbiteye Blueberry is native to the southeastern United States and easily grown as a backyard crop or an ornamental plant in Georgia. Flowers in spring, berries ripen in early summer. Rabbiteye blueberries benefit from cross pollination to produce more berries, so at least three varieties should be included when planting. Rabbiteye Blueberry prefers to be watered often and can tolerate shade but will produce the most berries in a sunny location. As an ornamental plant, the Rabbiteye Blueberry bush has exfoliating bark and attractive fall color. Great for erosion control on banks and by creek or pond edges. See our Blueberry Varieties . Bottlebrush Buckeye Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush Buckeye 8' -12' deciduous shrub. A shade tolerant native with show stopping white cylindrical panicles of tubular flowers and conspicuous red anthers in mid summer. The perfect answer for a flowing, shade loving bush. Bottlebrush Buckeye has a dense, mounded form and great fall color in bright yellow.

Chokeberry 'Brilliantissima' Aronia arbutifolia Chokeberry 'Brilliantissima' 6' - 10' Deciduous Shrub. Native throughout most of the eastern United States. Deer resistant. Chokeberry 'Brilliantissima' produces numerous white flowers in spring, and bright red, showy berries in fall. Chokeberry is a valuable plant in a habitat garden and will attract butterflies and pollinators. An upright, open shrub, Chokeberry 'Brilliantissima' is noted for its brilliant fall colors. Easy to grow. Chokeberry is a valuable native plant for providing birds with a late winter food source. Elderberry 'Black Lace' Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' elderberry. A Proven Winners plant. Distinctive lacy foliage and soft pink flowers in early summer. The deep purple black leaves of 'Black Lace' elderberry are finely cut and resembles a Japanese maple. Creamy, light pink flowers make for an attractive color contrast with the dark foliage.

Flowers are followed by blackish red berries which may be used for making elderberry jam or wine, or leave them on the bush to attract birds and other wildlife. 'Black Lace' elderberry is deer resistant. Fothergilla 'Mount Airy' Fothergilla major Fothergilla 'Mount Airy' 3' - 5' Deciduous shrub. Native to the southeastern United States. Fragrant honey scented flowers. Blooms appear in spring after leaves emerge. A small shrub with bottle brush like spring flowers, attractive summer foliage, good fall color and upright habit. Fothergilla 'Mount Airy' is a good choice for smaller gardens, open woodland gardens and along creek or pond edges. Fothergilla is a best pick for attracting pollinators and butterflies. Inkberry Holly 'Nigra' Ilex glabra Inkberry Holly 'Nigra', black inkberry 6' - 10 evergreen shrub. Clump forming, evergreen shrub with small, non showy flowers in late spring. Female plants will produce berry like, black drupes in fall which will persist through the winter months.

Inkberry Holly is a trouble free plant, prefers sun and moist soil but is shade tolerant. fruit is persistent. A good plant for a wildlife garden, flowers will attract pollinators and birds eat the berries. Yaupon Holly 'Stokes Dwarf' Ilex vomitoria Dwarf Yaupon Holly 'Stoke's Dwarf' 2' - 3' evergreen shrub. A dwarf from of Yaupon holly, Stoke's Dwarf' is an evergreen shrub with tight branches. It grows in a compact, spreading mound, it is an excellent choice for around foundations, border or low growing hedge. 'Stoke's Dwarf' is a male holly and produces no berries. Perfect for those spots in a landscape that need a low maintenance spot of green. Winterberry Holly Ilex verticillata Winterberry Holly. 'Winter Red', 'Red sprite' female form, 'Southern Gentlemen' male, 'Red Sprite' is a dwarf female. Deciduous Shrub. Male and female plants required for pollination and berries. Plant one male to every three to five females. A deciduous holly with very showy, bright red berries which grow along the branches, Winterberry Holly is a classic Christmas holiday season plant.

Foliage is a bright medium green and not shiny as other holly leaves can be, Flowers are non-showy but attractive to pollinators, and berries are loved by birds. Perfect in a landscape as a naturalized hedge. Weeping Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula' Weeping Yaupon Holly. Evergreen. A distinct, irregular weeping Yaupon holly which has bright scarlet berries in fall and winter just in time to decorate a landscape during the holiday season Foliage is small and oval, this tree can produce several trunks in a clump or be trained as a single trunk. Weeping Yaupon holly makes an elegant focal point at an entry way or as a specimen in a garden bed. Tolerant of many conditions. Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers' and 'Munchkin' dwarf deciduous shrub. 'Ruby Slippers' has a compact form is well suited for small gardens and landscapes. A prolific bloomer, 'Ruby Slippers' produces exceptionally large clusters of flowers in summer which are are showcased beautifully against dark green, dramatically lobed oak like leaves.

Blooms open white when they first emerge then quickly turn to deep pink. Flowers on 'Ruby Slippers' are robust and remain upright into the summer and the autumn foliage is a brilliant mahogany red. Ideal for hedges, mass plantings, or mixed borders. 'Munchkin' is another dwarf variety at 3 with an upright form. 'Munchkin' flowers open white and age to pink. See our Hydrangea Varieties . Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Snow Queen', 'Queen of Hearts' 4' - 5' Deciduous shrub. The smaller size of make 'Snow Queen' a great choice for small space or urban gardens. While the species can grow to 12', only reaches to 5'. It is a stunning companion with evergreen azaleas and rhododendrons which require the same growing conditions. After the azaleas have finished, 'Snow Queen' will begin to put on a show. See our Hydrangea Varieties . Itea virginica 'Merlot', 'Henry's Garnet' Itea virginica 'Merlot' and 'Henry's Garnet'.

Native to eastern United States Deciduous Shrub. Early summer blooms of fragrant, drooping racemes of white flowers which attract pollinators and butterflies to a garden. Fall colors are dependable, in tones of yellow, maroon and orange. Itea virginica 'Merlot' and 'Henry's Garnet' are small shrubs which can work well in a perennial garden, in mass plantings, erosion control or landscaped border. Leucothoe 'Margie Jenkins' Leucothoe axillaris 'Margie Jenkins' 2' - 5 low growing'. The perfect plant for damp, shady areas where you need erosion control or to hide a drainage ditch, 'Margie Jenkins' leucothoe thrives in shady, wet areas. Spring flowers resemble tiny bells and have a mild fragrance. Leucothoe will attract pollinators to your yard and makes an excellent addition to the wildlife garden. New growth is rusty orange and yellow. Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel 'Olympic Fire', 'Minuet', 'Carousel' and 'Keepsake'. Evergreen shrub. Profuse bloomer.

In late spring, showy large clusters of wonderful deep red buds open to produce light pink flowers. Mountain Laurel has an attractive, a dense rounded form with dark green foliage. 'Olympic Fire' is evergreen and reaches a height of 6' so may be used as an effective a privacy screen or for property borders. Shade tolerant, useful in borders, woodland gardens and hedges. Ninebark 'Coppertina' Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark 'Coppertina' 8' - 10' deciduous shrub. A Proven Winners plant. Foliage is a unique copper gold in spring which will change to a rich red during summer. The brilliant copper color can be incorporated in a landscape as a contrast bush for deeper greens and make any area stand out. 'Coppertina' has an open, vase shape with arching branches and in spring, soft pink flowers appear. Give 'Coppertina' some sun to maintain its brilliant color.

Dwarf Ninebark 'Little Devil', 'Tiny Wine' Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark 'Little Devil' and 'Tiny Wine' (Proven Winners) 3' - 4' dwarf deciduous shrub. Dwarf ninebark with deep burgundy foliage. Ninebark 'Little Devil' has a dense, rounded habit and is the perfect native plant for a small space garden or landscape accent where a spot of color is needed. Clusters of small pinkish white flowers appear in spring and provide cheerful contrast against the dark foliage. Ninebark is native to most of the US. 'Tiny Wine' is another dwarf ninebark we carry, similar to 'Little Devil'. Spicebush Lindera benzoin Spicebush 6' - 12' with a broad, rounded habit. Blooms in early spring. Spicebush is a dioecious shrub with male and female flowers on separate plants. The the male flowers are larger and showier than females. Flowers of female plants will produce bright red drupes in fall that attract to birds. Female plants will need a male pollinator in order to set the red fruit. Good fall color in yellow and orange.

Spicebush leaves are aromatic. St. Johns Wort 'Sunburst' Hypericum frondosum St John's Wort 'Sunburst', 'Blue and Gold' Golden St. John’s Wort 3' deciduous shrub. Native to the southeastern US. Bright yellow flowers in summer, and red brown fruit capsules in fall. The unusual seed pods of St John's Wort 'Sunburst' adds dramatic interest to the winter garden. Deer resistant and can be semi evergreen in mild Georgia winters. St John's Wort 'Sunburst' is a good plant pick for informal hedges and mass plantings, its dusty blue green foliage brings texture and color to a landscape. Southern Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera Southern Wax Myrtle Bayberry, Southern Bayberry, Candleberry, Wax Myrtle Semi-evergreen shrub, small tree 20'. Can be pruned to form a as a shrub or small tree. Foliage has a spicy fragrance. Semi-evergreen, southern wax myrtle is useful as an informal hedge or grown as an accent tree. It makes an interesting tree with it's unique leaf shape. Will tolerate poor soils and is great as a hedge in difficult to reach areas.

Non-showy flowers attract pollinators and fruit is eaten by birds, southern wax myrtle is a valuable plant in a habitat garden. Summersweet Clethra Fragrant. Clethra alnifolia Summersweet 'Sixteen Candles', 'Ruby Spice', Pepper Bush deciduous shrub. Very fragrant, plant in groups to scent an entire yard. Highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators, Clethra alnifolia Summersweet is the perfect plant for a wildlife garden. Bottle brush like flowers appear in summer and the attractive green foliage turns yellow in fall. Plant several cultivars to extend the bloom season. Clethra alnifolia Summersweet is a useful plant for shade gardens. Sweetshrub Carolina Allspice Fragrant. Calycanthus Carolina Allspice sweetshrub, 8'. In early summer showy, star shaped burgundy flowers with white tips appear along the branches. Carolina Allspice is a multi stemmed deciduous shrub which prefers a little shade in our southern climate. Use sweetshrub in woodland gardens, along wood edges or in mixed borders. Carolina Allspice sweetshrub fall color is more dependable than the species.

Carolina Allspice is native to the southeastern United States. Viburnum Nudum 'Brandywine' Viburnum Nudum 'Brandywine'. A Proven Winners plant. Possumhaw viburnum or smooth witherod 5' - 7' deciduous shrub. A compact Viburnum Nudum. Multi stem, rounded upright shrub with clusters of flat topped, white flowers in spring. Foliage is a glossy dark green which displays beautiful fall colors of orange, red and maroon. The berries are showy in colors of pink and blue and are attractive to birds. A good pick for wildlife or habitat gardens, attracts butterflies, birds and pollinators. 'Brandywine' is a low maintenance garden plant for specimens, borders, or mass planting. Viburnum Nudum 'Winterhur' Viburnum Nudum 'Winterhur'. Possumhaw viburnum or smooth witherod deciduous shrub. Multi stem, rounded upright shrub with clusters of flat topped, white flowers in spring. Foliage is a glossy dark green which displays wonderful fall colors of orange, red and maroon.

The berries are showy in colors of pink and blue and are attractive to birds. 'Winterhur' is a low maintenance garden plant for specimens, borders, or mass planting. A good choice for wildlife or habitat gardens, attracts butterflies, birds and pollinators. Holly Varieties – What Are Some Different Types Of Hollies Image by TheCreativePenn By Jackie Carroll The holly family (Ilex spp.) includes a diverse group of shrubs and trees. You’ll find plants that grow only 18 inches tall as well as trees as tall as 60 feet. The leaves may be hard and spiny or soft to the touch. Most are dark green, but you can also find purple tints and variegated forms. With so much variation in holly varieties, you’re sure to find one to fill your landscape need. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of hollies. Holly Plant Varieties There are two common types of holly categories: evergreen and deciduous. Here are some popular types of holly shrubs to grow in the landscape. Evergreen Hollies Chinese Holly (I. cornuta) – These evergreen shrubs have dark green leaves with pronounced spines.

They tolerate hot temperatures but sustain winter damage in areas colder than USDA plant hardiness zone 6. The different types of hollies in this group include ‘Burfordii,’ which is one of the most popular cultivars for hedges, and ‘O. Spring,’ a variegated type with irregular bands of yellow on the leaves. Japanese Holly (I. crenata) – Japanese hollies are generally softer in texture than Chinese hollies. They come in a range of shapes sizes with endless uses in the landscape. These hollies don’t do well in areas with hot summers, but they tolerate colder temperatures than the Chinese hollies. ‘Sky Pencil’ is a dramatic columnar cultivar that grows up to 10 feet tall and less than two feet wide. ‘Compacta’ is a neat, globe-shaped group of Japanese hollies. American Holly (I. opaca) – These North American natives grow into up to 60 feet tall, and a mature specimen is a landscape treasure. Although these types of hollies are common in woodland settings, they aren’t often used in residential landscapes because they grow very slowly. ‘Old Heavy Berry’ is a vigorous cultivar that bears lots of fruit.

Inkberry Holly (I. glabra) – Similar to Japanese hollies, inkberries are distinguished by their black berries. Species types tend to have bare lower branches because they drop their lower leaves, but cultivars such as ‘Nigra’ have good lower leaf retention. Yaupon Holly (I. vomitoria) – Yaupon is a group holly plant varieties with small leaves that have a purplish tint when young. Some of the more interesting types have white berries. The leaves on ‘Bordeaux’ have a deep, burgundy tint that becomes darker in winter. ‘Pendula’ is a graceful, weeping holly often used as a specimen plant. Deciduous Hollies Possumhaw (I. decidua) – Taking the form of either a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, possumhaw grows to heights of 20 to 30 feet. It sets a heavy load of dark orange or red berries which remain on the branches after the leaves fall. Winterberry holly (I. verticillata) – Winterberry is very similar to possumhaw, but it grows only 8 feet tall.

There are several cultivars to choose from, most of which set fruit earlier than the species. Densa Inkberry Holly a Tough, Versatile, Native Option Updated July 17, 2016. Taxonomic Classification of Densa Inkberry Holly: According to plant taxonomy , this kind of holly is designated Ilex glabra 'Densa.' The third name in that string is the cultivar name. Plant Type: Inkberry holly is classified as a broadleaf , evergreen shrub . What Inkberry Holly Looks Like: This is a clump-forming bush with a broad, upright form . Female plants bear black berries (drupes). The leaves are a shiny, dark green. The 'Densa,' 'Compacta' and 'Shamrock' cultivars are improvements on the species plant in the sense that their growth habit is more "dense" or "compact" and they're less prone to suckering. Densa inkberry holly is listed as reaching 3-4 feet tall at maturity (with a slightly greater width), although numerous people have reported sightings of specimens that have exceeded those dimensions.

Growing Zones for Densa Inkberry Holly: Inkberry holly is native to Eastern North America, making it a favorite choice of native-plant enthusiasts. continue reading below our video Quick Tricks for Hanging Picture Frames Without a Level Densa is best suited to growing zones 5-9. Prefered Growing Conditions: Inkberry holly bushes can withstand a location in full sun in the North, but they also tolerate partial shade. As a plant whose habitat in the wild is wetlands, it's not surprising that they prefer an acidic soil, although they are not fussy about it. Indeed, their flexibility (see below) is perhaps their main selling point. Uses in Landscaping: Grown in a line, they are useful in landscaping property lines that are contiguous to busy streets, since they hold up well to the polluted conditions that are prevalent in such areas (see below). They are not, however, typically sheared into a tight, formal hedge, the way some of the other popular hedge plants are. Likewise, group them loosely in informal mixed shrub borders to meet screening needs low-down that taller shrubs can't fulfill. Grown in foundation plantings , they furnish reliable greenery all year long.

And their shade tolerance makes them a fine selection for woodland gardens . Care: Prune or shear in late winter or early spring. Fertilize in spring with a fertilizer such as Holly-Tone. Other than that bit of care, inkberry holly is an excellent candidate for low-maintenance landscaping , which helps account for its popularity. Hollies are either male or female . Densa inkberry holly is a female clone. Any male holly should be able to pollinate the flowers, which, apart from the berries they yield, are of little consequence. Wildlife Attracted (or Not) to Inkberry Holly: These shrubs are effective for drawing birds to the landscape. Wild birds will eat the black berries over the course of the winter. Luckily, the plants are not a draw for undesirable wildlife: they are deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant plants. Alternate Common Name, Origin of the Names: The primary common name, "inkberry" is an allusion to the color (black) of the berries. So is the secondary common name, "gallberry." The latter derives from the fact that black ink made from the galls of oaks was a perennial office staple long before there was a Staples.

Both Ilex glabra and Ilex coriacea go by the common name, "gallberry." The latter is sometimes distinguished from the former by being called "large gallberry." It is, indeed, the larger of the two, often being more tree-like in appearance. The specific epithet, coriacea is apt: "coriaceous" means "having a leathery texture," a reference to the leathery feel to the leaves of both Ilex glabra and Ilex coriacea. The specific epithet, glabra means "smooth" and is also fitting, since inkberry hollies, in contrast to the more popular hollies associated with Christmas , bear soft, smooth leaves, not prickly foliage. Meanwhile Ilex means "oak" in Latin. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBOT), this is probably in "reference to the similarity of the holly leaf to the leaf of a Mediterranean oak known as Quercus ilex (holly oak)." Go figure: holly is named for an oak, which, in turn, is named after holly. Ah, the wonderful world of plant names!

When Inkberry Shrubs Might Be a Better Choice Than Other Hollies: There are many types of holly shrubs . Some are more attractive than inkberry holly, bearing bright red berries and leaves that assume the classic holly shape (i.e., with prickly edges). So one would be thoroughly justified in asking the question, Why would I plant inkberry bushes rather than another type of holly? We don't make plant selection choices in a vacuum. Rather, plant A is selected over plant B because it's a better match for the particular location in question, with all of the challenges faced by the latter. So the better question is, Under what circumstances might inkberry holly be a superior choice? A quick example that comes to mind is in swimming pool landscaping . A prickly holly may be fine in areas around the pool where you won't be walking much, but you wouldn't want to be brushing up against one with your bare legs on the way into or out of the pool. The soft leaves of inkberry would work better in the latter case. But to answer the question in more detail, let's consider inkberry holly's less obvious strengths, chief among which are all the potential negatives that the plant tolerates.

Inkberry holly is tolerant of: Street pollution (including road salt) Wind Garden pests (including insects, in addition to deer and rabbits) Plant diseases Sea salt The bush's tolerance of street pollution is one of the big reasons why, in Eastern North America, it is a mainstay in the landscaping for business establishments. I've seen them planted at many a shopping plaza. Because the sites for some businesses are open and thereby exposed to winds, inkberry holly's ability to hold up to strong winds also argues in its favor here. I cite cold tolerance in the sense that its leaves tend to hold their green color better through winter than do some broadleaf evergreens ( mountain laurels , for example). Overly moist ground frequently poses a problem for homeowners. Many landscape plants simply won't thrive there. As wet area plants , thanks to their swampy heritage, inkberry holly offers a solution in such spots. The fact that inkberry holly is somewhat tolerant of sea salt gives you a second-rank option for a seashore landscape design . All of this "toleration" means that inkberry holly gives you a lot of flexibility in planning a landscape design.

This shrub may be the answer in a problem area where other candidates just won't grow well. What it may lack in beauty it makes up for in toughness and reliability. Not that it is totally lacking in aesthetic value. The prickly-leaved hollies comport themselves stiffly, which is not always a desirable look. There may be corner of your landscape where you're seeking a softer, billowy look. Inkberry holly would fit the bill here. 18 Species of Holly Trees and Shrubs 18 Species of Holly Trees and Shrubs Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters Thanks, You're in! There was an error. Please try again. Please select a newsletter. Please enter a valid email address. Did you mean ?

Question: Inkberry, Carolina and Hawaiian are all varieties of which garden plant?
Answer: Holly