Hollies
Types
of Hollies
Within the Holly
(Ilex) family there are many species, both evergreen and
deciduous. To ensure berry production, male and female plants need
to be planted; one male plant will pollinate 4 to 6 females. The following
hollies are best suited for the midwest.
Blue
or Meserve Holly (Ilex
x meserveae) is
a medium sized broadleaf evergreen shrub with dark , waxy blue-green
foliage and attractive berries on the female plants. Varieties include
‘Blue Boy’ & ‘Blue Girl’, ‘Blue Prince’ & ‘Blue Princess’, and ‘Blue
Stallion’ & ‘Blue Maid’. ‘China Girl’ and ‘China Boy’, with lighter-green
foliage, are the most heat and cold tolerant of the Meserve Hollies.
Winterberry
Holly (Ilex
verticillata)
is a one of the best native deciduous shrubs for ornamental fall and
winter fruits. Winterberry is also a top selection for wet areas,
where it naturally thrives. Berry-laden stems make great long-lasting
winter decorations. A few of the many varieties include ‘Red Sprite’,
a compact cultivar with bright red fruit,
‘Afterglow’, with medium red-orange fruit, and ‘Winter Gold’, with
pinkish-orange fruit.
Inkberry
Holly (Ilex
glabra) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with an attractive upright,
oval growth habit and dark green lustrous leaves. Inkberry is a good
alternative to boxwood where a taller and faster growing broadleaf
evergreen is needed. It is one of the few evergreen shrubs that can
thrive in a wet site. Inkberry produces insignificant fruit and does
not need a pollinator.
Culture
Location
Evergreen hollies do best
in partial shade and a protected site. (China Girl and China Boy are
the exception, able to take full sun). Do not plant in open areas
or a south or west facing location where they may be subject to drying
winter winds. Winterberry deciduous holly, can be planted in sun or
partial shade. Best fruit production will be in a sunny site.
Soil
Preparation Hollies
prefer moist, well-drained, acid soil high in organic matter. Amend
soil with canadian peat at planting and apply an acid fertilizer such
as ‘Holly-tone’ in spring or fall, following the directions on the
product label.
Pruning
Prune Blue or Meserve and
Winterberry Hollies carefully. Next year’s flower buds are set on
the current season’s growth by late June. Pruning after this time
will remove next year’s flowers and therefore berries. Inkberry holly
tolerates light to moderate shearing. This will help promote compact
growth.
Mulching
Mulch with a 3” layer of
shredded hardwood bark to maintain soil temperature and preserve moisture.
Watering
Make sure all your Hollies
receive at least 1” of water per week until the ground freezes.
Allisonville Nursery
garden
center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone
317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948
We are not
a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.
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