Ilex opaca

from $12.00
Coming Soon!

American Holly,
Christmas Holly

NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)

*Seedlings expected by 2027 due to double dormancy

  • Evergreen tree; slow growing; 15-30ft tall on average, but can reach up to 100ft

  • Small green/white flowers; blooms mid to late spring

  • Early season source of pollen & nectar for native pollinators

  • Dioecious—only female plants produce berries & require pollen from a nearby male plant

  • Bright red berries are a good late winter food source for small mammals and birds (robins, cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, bluejays, wild turkey, etc.)

  • Host plant to Henry’s Elfin Butterfly

Size:

American Holly,
Christmas Holly

NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)

*Seedlings expected by 2027 due to double dormancy

  • Evergreen tree; slow growing; 15-30ft tall on average, but can reach up to 100ft

  • Small green/white flowers; blooms mid to late spring

  • Early season source of pollen & nectar for native pollinators

  • Dioecious—only female plants produce berries & require pollen from a nearby male plant

  • Bright red berries are a good late winter food source for small mammals and birds (robins, cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, bluejays, wild turkey, etc.)

  • Host plant to Henry’s Elfin Butterfly

Details

  • White, Green

  • Spring

  • 15-30ft on average, but if conditions are ideal, can reach up to 100ft

  • On average lives 100-150 years; in ideal conditions, can live up to 200 years

  • Medium, Wet

  • Full, Partial, Shade

  • Henry’s Elfin

  • FACU - usually occurs in non-wetlands, but may occur in wetlands

  • double dormancy: 30-60 days of warm stratification followed by 60 days of cold stratification