American Holly
Ilex opaca
Also listed as Ageria opaca, Ilex americana
Also known as Christmas Holly
Climate Match for your location
See how well American Holly grows in your area.
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American holly is a native evergreen shrub prized for its glossy dark-green foliage and bright red berries that persist through winter. Female plants produce abundant berries when pollinated by a male plant nearby.
Why grow it
American holly offers reliable winter interest through its persistent red berries and dark evergreen foliage, making it useful for seasonal structure in temperate landscapes. Compared to invasive hollies like English holly, it requires both male and female plants for reliable fruiting but provides native habitat value and food for wildlife. It tolerates a wider range of soil pH than many ornamental evergreens and establishes well in partial shade to full sun.
Watch out for
Successful berry production depends on having compatible male pollinators within reasonable proximity, which requires planning ahead rather than treating the plant as self-sufficient. Growth can be slow in the first few years after establishment, and plants may take several years to reach ornamental maturity. Site selection matters more than most shrubs here: American holly prefers well-draining soil and struggles in compacted or waterlogged conditions common around new construction.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
American holly is a native evergreen shrub prized for its glossy dark-green foliage and bright red berries that persist through winter. Female plants produce abundant berries when pollinated by a male plant nearby.
Climate Match for your location
See how well American Holly grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
American holly offers reliable winter interest through its persistent red berries and dark evergreen foliage, making it useful for seasonal structure in temperate landscapes. Compared to invasive hollies like English holly, it requires both male and female plants for reliable fruiting but provides native habitat value and food for wildlife. It tolerates a wider range of soil pH than many ornamental evergreens and establishes well in partial shade to full sun.
Watch out for
Successful berry production depends on having compatible male pollinators within reasonable proximity, which requires planning ahead rather than treating the plant as self-sufficient. Growth can be slow in the first few years after establishment, and plants may take several years to reach ornamental maturity. Site selection matters more than most shrubs here: American holly prefers well-draining soil and struggles in compacted or waterlogged conditions common around new construction.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
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