American Holly
Ilex opaca
This holly is native to New Jersey and has been commonly used in furniture making and wooden instruments, owing to its ease of taking color. Boughs of this holly are a favorite for Christmas decorations.
The American holly is native to eastern and south-central United States. American holly wood has been used to make furniture. It is ideal for taking dyes and is used for much of the black and white inlaid lines in musical instruments. Although 15 species of holly trees and shrubs are native to the US people across the country prize the boughs of American holly as a favorite Christmas decoration.
It is also known by several other common names including English Holly, European Holly, Holly, Inkberry, Oregon Holly and Winterberry.
American holly is a woody, broadleaf evergreen tree in the Aquifoliaceae (holly) family that has generated numerous cultivars. In nature, it is found growing as an understory tree or shrub in moist, deciduous forests in central and southeastern United States. The genus name Ilex is in reference to the similarity of the evergreen leaves to Quercus ilex. The specific epithet opaca means dull, dark, or opaque in reference to the dullness of the leaf surface.
American holly grows in moist, neutral to acidic soils in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate a range of soil textures, is moderately salt tolerant, and highly deer resistant. It will tolerate occasionally wet or dry soil, but not flooding. For optimum growth, avoid poorly drained soils. Protect it from cold winter winds and winter sun. In hot summer climates, give it afternoon shade. Being situated in too much shade will cause the plant foliage to lose density. In order to produce the bright red or orange berries that the holly is known for, both male and female plants must be present.
The evergreen leaves and fruits on female plants are fragrant, and make for beautiful color and interest in a winter garden. Branches from this species are often used in the creation of Christmas wreaths.
The American holly tree grows slowly, ultimately reaching from 40 to 60 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide in an open conical to pyramidal shape with limbs all the way to the ground. It is ideal for privacy screens, barriers, and hedges. It is not recommended for small yards, but can be a beautiful specimen plant when given ample space to grow. The fruit of the tree is a wildlife food source so, when space permits, consider including it in a butterfly, pollinator, native, or children’s garden.
This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home.
Quick ID Hints:
Dull, dark green leaves are both entire and spiny.
Spines are evenly spaced and are long and sharp.
Leaves usually have a dull, dirty look.