Foster's Holly

The naturally pyramidal Foster Holly (Ilex X attenuata 'Fosteri') is a gorgeous glossy leafed broadleaf evergreen Holly with year-round interest to lend to your landscape! The spiky green foliage has protective points on each lobed leaf that just shine year round! Growing to an impressive height and forming a natural pyramid, these evergreens have a poised effect when used as a single specimen or in groupings and rows!

The dense branching conceals the small, insignificant whitish blooms. However, your pollinators will seek these spring flowers out for their nectar! While both the male and female plants produce flowers in spring, the Foster Holly has a unique trait in that they are one of the few Holly where the female shrubs are parthenocarpic and won't need a male nearby to produce those gorgeous red berries in the autumn!

Your shrub will come alive with birds in the fall and winter as they stock up on these glossy berries lining each branch! If you would like more of the showy fruit to adorn your landscape, plant multiple Foster's Hollies to ensure you have at least one male and increase pollination among all your female shrubs.

Planting and Application:

Foster Holly is a natural hybrid found growing in Florida and has the wonderful traits of its Dahoon and American Holly parentage! Fantastic as large hedges that few will want to tangle with due to the sharp points on the leaves, use these as a formidable privacy hedge for year-round screening! A few planted in a row or zigzag 5-10 feet on center will grow into a solid wall at a medium rate.

A single specimen at the corner of your front yard or included among a mixed evergreen border in the backyard become instant bird hotels! Not only does the compact branching provide wonderful nesting and shelter all year round, but the berries are highly sought-after nourishment in the autumn. Persisting through the winter, the pea-sized fire-red fruits look great in winter décor like wreaths, swags, and holiday arrangements!

• Impressive Pyrmaidal Broadleaf Evergreens
• Naturally Compact & Glossy Foliage
• Pointed Leaves, White Flowers & Fire Red Fall Fruit
• Pollinator & Bird-Friendly
• Female Plants Don't Need A Male - More Berries if You Do!
• Hedges & Screening, Specimen & Mighty Accents

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Growing best in full sun, Foster Hollies can also tolerate partial shade, especially afternoon shade when planted in the hotter of its favored hardiness zones. Tolerating urban conditions and shrugging off pollution, Fosters grows in about any kind of soil but does best in rich, well-drained soil that won't become soggy. Cold hardy and heat tolerant, Foster does best when protected from drying northern winds in winter and in a protected location in general. Ensure your plant has consistent moisture while establishing and provide winter moisture and a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch.

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 6 to 9, Foster can grow to an impressive variable height of 20-30 feet and spread to 10-20 feet at the base when mature. Their conical shape can be altered easily with some annual pruning in the late winter or very early spring.

• Full Sun & Partial Shade
• Moderate Moisture Needs
• Rich Well-Drained Soils
• Appreciates Protected Sites & Mulched Beds
• Prune in Late Winter

The gorgeous glossy broadleaf evergreen Foster Holly bush will wrap your landscape in year-round greenery & birdsong! Ornamental shrubs with red berries and natural pyramidal form are delights to behold! Order your four-season interest at NatureHills.com today!