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Spacing: 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m) 20-30 ft. (6-9 m) 30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color: White/Near White Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer
Foliage: Grown for foliage Evergreen
Other details: This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Provides winter interest
Soil pH requirements: 5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic) 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From hardwood cuttings From seed; stratify if sowing indoors By grafting
Seed Collecting: Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
On Apr 8, 2010, braun06 from Peoria Heights, IL (Zone 5b) wrote:
I lived in the south a few number of years and became accustomed to the American Holly and wanted to plant one in zone 5a. Some opaca around here lose thier leaves in severe winters in exposed sites but recover soon as spring hits so in zone 5 these guys are fully usable. Others never lose a leaf. Winter protection can always be useful this far north for a better looking plant but not necessary.
On Nov 9, 2008, CTpalmguy from South Lyme, CT (Zone 7a) wrote:
The American Holly is very nice, broadleaf-evergreen tree native north to coastal portions of Connecticut on the east coast. Trees from native stands here in Connecticut often have a very pleasant, slightly conical (like the Southern Magnolia), open habit. This plant is underused in landscapes across the northern part of its range. Some ignorantly insist that the tree, though native here in the northeast, is not "hardy." It would be nice to see more of these trees and less of the overused China Girl or China Boy hollies.
On Dec 10, 2007, LeBug from Greenville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:
I love this holly, so much prettier than the other hollies because it doesn’t lose all of it’s leaves like the other ones, it does shed and those prickly leaves everywhere but you can never see all the way through it like some others. Ours is close to 30' I'm sure, and my favorite tree in the whole yard!
On Jan 28, 2007, ViburnumValley from Scott County, KY (Zone 5b) wrote:
American holly is an excellent broadleaf evergreen for the Ohio River valley region, and everywhere its wide native distribution allows it to grow (northeastern US down the Atlantic coast and through most of the south).
Typically conical in habit, American holly can be pendulous, columnar, or a dwarf spreader. It is normally red-fruited, but there are fine orange and yellow-fruited forms too. There are selections made for zone 5 winter hardiness, and trees selected for virtually spineless leaves. Over one thousand cultivars have been named, so there is pretty much an American holly for everyone.
Peruse the cultivars illustrated in PlantFiles, and see if you don't find one that deserves a place in your landscape.
On Jan 24, 2005, TREEHUGR from Now in Orlando, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:
I think this is my favorite of the hollies. There is at least one of them planted where I am living now. Seems like they maintain a neater, more conical growth shape, more leaves, a darker color green and detailed leaves. I'm glad to see quite a few of this native in my new area.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Atmore, Alabama Jacksonville, Alabama Wetumpka, Alabama Morrilton, Arkansas , Connecticut Simsbury Center, Connecticut Ellendale, Delaware Bartow, Florida Pensacola, Florida Trenton, Florida Union Park, Florida Kihei, Hawaii Peoria Heights, Illinois Galena, Indiana Macy, Indiana Oak Park, Indiana Overland Park, Kansas Clermont, Kentucky Cynthiana, Kentucky Frankfort, Kentucky Georgetown, Kentucky Hi Hat, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Nicholasville, Kentucky Paris, Kentucky Versailles, Kentucky Holden, Louisiana North Laurel, Maryland Valley Lee, Maryland Halifax, Massachusetts Mashpee, Massachusetts Saint Martin, Mississippi Saucier, Mississippi Waynesboro, Mississippi Society Hill, New Jersey Buffalo, New York Highlands, North Carolina Jaars, North Carolina Glouster, Ohio Youngstown, Ohio Allentown, Pennsylvania Greencastle, Pennsylvania East Sumter, South Carolina Dalworthington Gardens, Texas Garland, Texas Houston, Texas Roman Forest, Texas Roanoke, Virginia
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