Grow American Holly Plants to Deck Your Yard

American Holly Care and Growing Tips

American,holly,(ilex,opaca),with,red,berries. — damann/Shutterstock
American holly is a native plant with evergreen leaves and berries that birds love.

Common name: American holly
Scientific name: Ilex opaca
Zones: 5 to 9
Attracts: birds, bees
Light needs: Partial to full sun
Size: 15 to 30 feet tall on average but can reach 50 feet or more

Grow year-round cheer with this hardy, broad-leafed native evergreen tree. While it looks good in every season the peak time is winter, when most other plants are looking less than picturesque. American holly is large, generally adaptable and low maintenance. However, make sure you have the right conditions in your landscape. It grows slow and steady but does best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Choose a location sheltered from winter wind and bright sun that can dry out the evergreen leaves.

Because of its large size, the tree is a good choice as a privacy hedge or screen.

Note that in order to bear fruit, at least one male plant is needed for up to five female holly plants.

What Does American Holly Look Like?

It produces dainty white flowers in spring, and iconic red berries in fall and winter, generally from September to December. The dark-green, leathery leaves have pointed teeth.

Because the plant is popular as a holiday decoration, it is also commonly called Christmas holly.

Learn how to grow a snowberry bush.

Wildlife Benefits

Dense evergreen foliage is perfect as nesting shelter for birds, and they love the berries. Bees and other pollinators will visit the fragrant flowers in spring. It is also a host plant for several caterpillars, including the Henry’s elfin butterfly. Deer generally leave it alone.

Is Holly an Evergreen Plant?

Because holly leaves stay green even in winter, ancient cultures such as the druids of Britain thought holly might contain potent magic.

READ ON: Grow a winterberry bush for seasonal beauty

Author

Kaitlin Stainbrook

Kaitlin Stainbrook has been writing about birding and gardening for nearly a decade. While the associate editor of Birds & Blooms magazine, she dove deep into all aspects of birding and gardening and worked closely with experts in the field. She continues to learn all she can about birding and gardening, and is always looking for houseplants he...

Reviewer

Melinda Myers

Melinda Myers is a nationally known, award-winning garden expert, speaker, TV/radio host and author of more than 20 books. She is the instructor for The Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD and Instant Video series and host of the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moments TV and Radio segments. With a master’s degree in horticulture and ...

Fact Checker

Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.