American Holly Tree

Ilex opaca

$129⁹⁹

In Stock
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Plant Size

#3 Container 3-4 Feet

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

American Holly Tree highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Ilex opaca
Growing Zones

5-9
Mature Height

30 - 50 feet
Mature Spread

15 - 30 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Widely Adaptable
Growth Rate

Medium
Flower Color

White
Fall Color

Evergreen
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

Yes
Pruning Time

Early Spring
Bloom Period

Late Spring

Growing Zones 5-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

The American Holly Tree (Ilex opaca), also called the White Holly or Christmas Holly, is one of the most familiar, easily-recognized Hollies around! It is a small tree or shrub with striking foliage that's perfect for privacy hedges and year-round screening. This Holly is as durable as it is beautiful and you will enjoy its dense green broad-leaved evergreen foliage all year!

The American Holly is easy to identify. It has thick, smooth, dark green, spiny leaves that are yellowish-green underneath. Unlike some Hollies, the American Holly keeps its foliage from top to bottom for the life of the tree when grown in open full sun.

The flowers of the American Holly typically appear in May and are delicate spring accents the pollinators will love! American Holly requires male trees are needed to pollinate female trees to produce the classic red Holly berries around September to November. These fruits persist from fall through most of the winter and birds love the berries! Enjoy winter interest and color throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9 with this easy-going native selection!

Planting and Application:

Great for a privacy hedge and noise barrier, but its natural pyramidal shape also makes it a perfect ornamental tree for any yard for full sun to part shade. Because it does well in part shade it is also a wonderful choice as an understory or edge of the woods plant.

You will not only love having fresh Holly branches to decorate your house during the winter months, but you will also be doing a great service for the small animals and birds in your neighborhood. During the winter the American Holly is an important source of food for the birds and provides a safe haven for shelter and nests in its thick foliage.

Train into a single-trunk specimen for a delightfully ornamental evergreen tree by simply removing the lowest branches from the main trunk. This Holly creates an amazing small accent tree for a private corner of your yard, or punctuating a garden bed! Try one at a corner of your foundation planting for effortless good looks.

Deep Glossy Green Pointed Foliage
Native Broad-Leaved Evergreen
Can Be Trained As A Shrub or Small Tree
White Flowers Precede Brilliant Red Berries
Requires A Male Holly For Pollination & Berries
Winter Interest & Winter Décor
Hedges, Specimens & Bird-Friendly Privacy

#ProPlantTips for Care:

The American Holly loves a slightly acidic, moist soil, but it must be well drained or it will not be happy. It also can grow in more shade than any other Holly variety (although it will do best in full sun!). These tough plants can withstand poor soil, as long as the drainage is good. Plant it in well-drained soil for best results in any kind of slightly acidic location and give them 3-4 inches of pine bark arborist mulch over the root system to maintain acidity, retain moisture, and insulate the roots. Best in moderate moisture throughout the growing season and top-dress with a good drink before winter. They'll survive through a moderate drought. Once established, they can even tolerate neglect. The best time for pruning is early spring and you can prune evergreen Holly into almost any shape or form.

Full Sun to Part Shade
Moderate Moisture Needs
Acidic Well-Drained Soil Types
Prune Very Early Spring
Plant Multiples or Male Holly For Increased Pollination & More Berries

Choose a traditional broad-leaved evergreen Holly that's great for privacy screens and year-round interest! The American Holly has easy care for native requirements with high-styled pyramidal growth! Order yours now at NatureHills.com!

Great Tree

So glad I got my American Holly before the holiday season. It is beautiful!Nature hills did a great job packing and shipping a really healthy tree.

Hi Donna,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely feedback! We're delighted to hear that your American Holly Tree arrived healthy and that you’re already enjoying its beauty just in time for the holiday season. Holly is such a wonderful choice—its vibrant berries and glossy leaves really help bring that festive feel into any space.

If you ever need tips on care or seasonal maintenance to keep your Holly thriving year-round, feel free to reach out. In the meantime, making sure it has well-drained soil, partial to full sunlight, and occasional watering will go a long way in helping it grow strong and beautiful.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Great Tree

So glad I got my American Holly before the holiday season. It is beautiful!Nature hills did a great job packing and shipping a really healthy tree.

Hi Donna,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your American Holly! We're thrilled to hear that your tree arrived healthy and ready to brighten up your holiday season. It’s always a joy to know our careful packing and shipping have helped deliver a vibrant, thriving plant to your home.

If you ever have questions about keeping your Holly looking its best through the seasons—like ideal watering tips or pruning advice—we’re always here to help. Your tree is sure to bring festive charm for many holidays to come!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Christmas Holly

Received my American Holly well before Christmas and am anxious for it to get large enough to hang some lights on it. Very nice looking plant.

Dear Dandy,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your American Holly arrived safely and that you find it to be a lovely plant. With its classic evergreen charm, it’s truly a fantastic choice for holiday decorating and beyond!

As your holly grows, ensure it receives plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil to help it thrive and reach its full size for those festive lights. Regular watering, especially during dry spells, and a round of balanced fertilizer in early spring can boost healthy growth. We’d be happy to share more tips or assist you anytime as your tree matures.

Looking forward to seeing your garden sparkle with those holly lights in the seasons to come!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Christmas Holly

Received my American Holly well before Christmas and am anxious for it to get large enough to hang some lights on it. Very nice looking plant.

Hi Dandy,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new American Holly Tree! We’re thrilled to hear it arrived safe and sound well before Christmas – what a perfect timeline for the holidays. It sounds like you’ve got a beautiful natural centerpiece growing, and we completely understand the excitement of watching it mature so you can decorate it with your lights.

To help your holly thrive and reach that size a little sooner, be sure to plant it in an area with well-drained, slightly acidic soil and plenty of sunlight (at least 4 hours a day). Regular watering—especially while it’s getting established—and a balanced fertilizer during the growing season can encourage healthy, vigorous growth. If you ever have questions on care or pruning to promote shape and density, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Thanks again for choosing NatureHills.com. We look forward to your holly becoming the glowing holiday feature you’re imagining.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

So Pretty.

I purchased the American Holly for my mom.Nature Hills had a 2-3 foot in a #1 container.It arrived quickly in great condition and my mom is thrilled.So pleased!

Hello Kelly,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that the American Holly arrived quickly and in great condition, and even more grateful to know your mom is so thrilled with her new tree. It’s always our goal to provide healthy, beautiful plants that bring joy from our nursery to your home.

If your mom ever has any questions about caring for her American Holly—like ideal watering, pruning, or nurturing tips—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We also have some great resources on our website to help holly trees thrive, and we’d love to support her in growing this lovely addition for many seasons to come.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts