A Head-Lee introduction, Christmas Jewel has a moderate growth rate and most closely resembles Foster #2. However, it remains full without gaps with minimal pruning. Abundant red berries are very showy from fall and throughout winter. Mature size is 8 to 10 feet tall by 4 to 6 feet wide. An excellent specimen evergreen.
Ilex / Holly
A pyramidal small evergreen with a somewhat open habit. It is a native plant that works well in coastal areas.
This american holly has a strong pyramidal form with glossy medium green leaves. As a native, it is a great option in areas that require native plantings. 15 to 20 feet high at maturity.
One of Monrovia’s Red Holly introductions, Oakleaf has a distinct leaf shape, somewhat like an oak leaf. The new growth emerges with a reddish purple color. It is self-fruiting and produces orange-red berries that persist through winter. The mature size is 20 feet high with an 8 foot spread. It has a somewhat pyramidal form that rounds with age.
Treeform 'Shadow's Female' really contrasts the light gray multi-trunked bark with the gray-green leaves and red berries. The profusion of berries persists throughout the winter and attracts many birds. Treeform yaupon works well as a small accent tree or in buffer strips. It can mature to 20 feet in height and 15 feet wide but is usually smaller.
'Shadow's Female' is a female upright yaupon holly that has a profusion of brilliant red berries. The evergreen foliage is small simple and ovate with a grayish-green color that contrasts wonderfully with the berries. It has a high drought tolerance and can be used in a wide range of soil types. Full Yaupon make a great screen or hedge. A native, yaupon also works well for reclamation and naturalization. It can mature to 20 feet in height and 15 feet wide but is usually smaller.
Savannah Holly is similar to Fosteri in growth habit, but with a lighter green leaf. It's popular in the southeast because of large flourescent red fruit that occur in great abundance. Compact, upright pyramidal form that does require pruning to maintain.
The tree-form Nellie R. Stevens takes the classic holly and puts it on a pedestal. The smooth gray bark of the single trunk is impressive with the glossy dark green leaves and red berries. Treeform Nellie R. Stevens is effective in landscapes requiring something beyond the ordinary. 15 to 25 feet high at maturity.
The most widely-used holly, this classic is hard to beat. With glossy dark green leaves and showy red berries that do not require a pollinator, Nellie R. Stevens will remain the standard for some time. We shear our Nellies 4 times each summer for a 'perfect' shape. A slightly oval pyramidal form with symmetrical lines make this plant the highlight of any landscape. 15 to 25 feet high at maturity.
An awesome display with the smooth gray bark highlighted against the vivid berries and shiny green foliage, the treeform version is excellent for a small specimen evergreen. It can grow to 15 feet in height and 10 feet high in width.
A female selection with showy red berries and oblong single spined leaves. The leaves are glossy dark green with a yellowish back. Needlepoint has a conical shape that broadens with age. It is a good choice for a hedge or screen planting. A moderate grower, it likes full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It can grow to 15 feet in height and 10 feet high in width.
Foster Holly #2 is a cross between Ilex cassine and Ilex opaca and was selected by E.E. Foster of Bessemer, AL. It has a small glossy green leaf with a spiny margin. The shape is a compact, upright pyramidal form. It has red fruit that persist through winter. Foster #2 makes a great foundation plant or accent tree. Can reach 15 to 25 feet high at maturity.
'Emily Bruner' Holly has glossy spiny wavy medium green leaves. The red berries occur in clusters and attract birds. It will tolerate partial shade but prefers full sun. The shape is a broad, dense pyramid that rounds as it matures. 'Emily Bruner' is a nice alternative to the typical holly as it has quite unique foliage. Can grow quite large if left unpruned. Mature size is 15 to 25 feet high and 12 to 15 feet wide.
A more compact form, Dwarf Burford is ideal for small landscapes. We grow this holly full to the ground and shear it in a rounded ball shape that is as wide as it is tall. It is great for a 'finished' look fast. Also available as a treeform specimen. Mature size is 8 to 10 feet high and wide.
The treeform Burford Holly is quite spectacular with it's multi-stemmed showy gray bark contrasting with the glossy green leaves and showy red berries. It makes a great specimen plant and the white blooms in spring attracts bees and other insects. Ours have many trunks that are limbed up constantly so that pruning marks are healed over and the heads are sheared tight and in proportion to the trunks. It can reach 20 to 25 feet in height if left unpruned but it can be kept at 10 to 12 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide.
