Plants in family aquifoliaceae
Ilex verticillata
Ilex verticillata, commonly known as deciduous holly, is native to the wetlands of eastern North America. It features glossy dark green leaves and produces striking red berries in winter. This hardy shrub grows 5-10 feet tall and wide, thriving in USDA zones 3 to 9, and is adaptable to wet soils. Male and female plants are separate, and pruning is best done after flowering.
Ilex decidua
Ilex decidua, commonly known as the deciduous holly, is a shrubby tree or bush with glossy, oval, toothed leaves. Female plants produce clusters of persistent red berries that provide food and shelter for birds, making it a bird-friendly choice for gardens. The plant's flowers offer nectar for early pollinators, and it serves as a host for beneficial caterpillars. Ilex decidua is adaptable to a wide range of environments, preferring full sun and well-drained moist soil, and is seldom damaged by deer.
Ilex crenata 'Glorie Dwarf'
Ilex crenata 'Glorie Dwarf' is a compact, well-branched Japanese holly with tiny leaves, discovered as a sport on Ilex 'Glory Gem'. It grows to 2 feet tall and wide after five years, potentially maturing to 4 feet. This plant offers a unique texture compared to other Japanese hollies and is suitable for sun to part sun conditions.
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' is a compact form of native Inkberry with lustrous dark green leaves and slow growth. It tolerates wet sites and produces dark purple to black berries, making it useful for accent plantings or low hedges.
Ilex crenata 'Hoogendorn'
Ilex crenata 'Hoogendorn' is a male holly species known for its compact, broadleaf evergreen groundcover. It is cold-tolerant and water-wise, spreading 2-3 feet wide and growing 18-24 inches tall. This plant is resistant to verticillium wilt and deer, thriving in full sun to partial shade. 'Hoogendorn' is a low-maintenance choice for gardens, requiring minimal moisture once established.
Ilex glabra 'Green Magic'
Ilex glabra 'Green Magic' is a glossy broad-leaved evergreen with small whitish-yellow blooms and showy black berries in fall. It is deer resistant and requires a male Ilex glabra nearby for berry production. This plant's attractive foliage and berry display make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens.
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana'
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana' is an evergreen shrub with bright red berries and dense growth habit. It produces clusters of showy and fragrant white flowers in spring and early summer, followed by large red berries in fall and winter. This drought-tolerant plant is deer resistant and performs best in rich, slightly acidic soil, making it a versatile choice for hedges or privacy screens.
Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'
Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' is a deciduous holly known for its bright red berries and deep-green foliage. It requires a male pollinator, such as Southern Gentleman Holly, for berry production and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Ilex crenata 'Dwarf Pagoda'
Ilex crenata 'Dwarf Pagoda' is a slow-growing, bonsai-like holly with dark green, rounded leaves. This tiny specimen reaches about 20 inches in height over 10 years and can grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in 30 years. It requires no pruning, making it a low-maintenance choice for rock gardens or as a unique evergreen addition to any landscape.
Ilex cassine
Ilex cassine, also known as dahoon holly, is an evergreen plant with broadleaf foliage. It features male and female plants, with the latter producing red berries after white spring flowers. This plant tolerates coastal conditions and prefers full sun to partial shade with well-drained acidic soil. It is a versatile addition to gardens, providing year-round interest and wildlife benefits.
Ilex vomitoria 'Oscar'
Ilex vomitoria 'Oscar' is a compact, dwarf evergreen shrub with exceptionally dark green foliage. It forms a dense ball about 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide, making it ideal for foundation plantings or rain gardens. This plant tolerates both boggy acidic and dry alkaline soils, showcasing its adaptability in various garden settings.
Ilex crenata 'Adorned'
Ilex crenata 'Adorned' is a compact evergreen mound discovered by Pat McCracken, growing to 18 inches tall and 5 feet wide over ten years. It features bright gold leaves with small green flecks and requires no pruning. This plant is ideal for rock gardens and foundation plantings, adding a bright touch to the landscape. It is hardy in USDA zones 6a to 9b and is known for its drought tolerance.
Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman'
Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman' is a deciduous shrub with deep-green foliage and dainty white blooms in mid-summer. It is a great pollinator for female Winterberry and tolerates wet and soggy soil. This deer-resistant shrub grows in full sun or partial shade and is native to North America, reaching 8-10 feet tall and wide.
Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'
Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' is a compact deciduous holly bush with bright green foliage and white spring flowers. It produces bright red berries that persist through winter, requiring a male pollinator for fruit. This plant is adaptable to moist soils and tolerates full sun to part shade, adding winter interest to gardens.