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American Holly Tree

Ilex opaca

Nature Hills Nursery
$12870
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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!

Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall and wide does American Holly get at maturity?
  • American Holly typically reaches 15-30 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide at maturity. This native evergreen grows slowly but steadily in zones 5-9. Allow plenty of space for its natural pyramidal shape, or prune lower branches to train it as a single-trunk specimen tree.

Does American Holly need a male and female plant for berries, and which pollinator varieties work best?
  • Yes, American Holly requires both male and female trees to produce the classic red berries that appear September through November. Female trees bear the berries while male trees provide the pollen needed for fruit production. Plant one male for every 3-5 females within 50 feet for best pollination results - both available at naturehills.com.

How much sun does American Holly need daily?
  • American Holly thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. It maintains its dense foliage from top to bottom when grown in full sun, but also performs well as an understory plant in partial shade. For best berry production and fullest growth, aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Is American Holly deer resistant?
  • American Holly is naturally deer resistant due to its thick, spiny leaves that deer typically avoid browsing. The sharp-edged foliage provides excellent protection in zones 5-9. Plant it as a natural deer deterrent around more vulnerable plants or use it for privacy screening in areas with heavy deer pressure.

How fast does American Holly grow, and can I prune it to control size or shape?
  • American Holly grows slowly to moderately, typically 12-24 inches per year. Yes, you can easily prune it to maintain size and shape - it responds well to trimming and can be trained as a single-trunk tree or kept as a dense hedge. Prune in late winter before spring growth begins for best results.

Is American Holly drought tolerant once established?
  • American Holly develops good drought tolerance once its root system is established, typically after 2-3 years. This native tree thrives in zones 5-9 and adapts well to various conditions. Water regularly the first few seasons, then it will handle dry spells naturally.

What is the shipping process for American Holly trees, and what condition do they arrive in?
  • American Holly trees ship as live plants carefully packaged to protect their evergreen foliage during transport. They typically arrive dormant or semi-dormant with their root systems intact and ready for planting in zones 5-9. Plant immediately upon arrival or keep roots moist until you can establish them in their permanent location.
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