Ilex vomitoria 'pendula' - Weeping Yaupon's winter berries

HOLLIES  for Southeast Texas

Ilex cornuta 'O.Spring' - a variegated Chinese holly

We feel that Hollies are very much underutilized in the Gulf Coast and inland Texas area, not so much in quantity as in variety. In other places along the Gulf Coast, Hollies are used to a much greater extent. They rank high on our list of landscaping plants. Photos of many of the hollies we grow and recommend are on our Plants of Merit page.

• Ilex opaca (American Holly) and related hybrids and cultivars (e.g. Savannah)
• Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon Holly), all cultivars and hybrids - Native to Texas and Gulf Coast
• Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly), all cultivars and hybrids - thrives along Gulf Coast
• Ilex glabra (Inkberry Holly), little known and used but nice. Adaptable to moist areas.
• Ilex cassine (Cassine Holly), all cultivars and hybrids - Native to the Gulf Coast
• Ilex latifolia (Lusterleaf Holly), all cultivars and hybrids (this Holly has a very large leaf)
• Ilex rotunda (Round Holly), rarely seen/somewhat tropical (Zone 9-10)
• Ilex decidua (a deciduous holly), all cultivars and hybrids - native to Texas and Gulf Coast
• Ilex dimorphophylla (no familiar common name), a species with two leaf types.

 

• Ilex aquifolium (English Holly), needs colder winters, milder summers, more rainfall
• Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly), needs colder winters, milder summers
• Ilex pernyi (Perny Holly), needs colder winters

• Ilex X Attenuata (Foster's Holly), (cross between I. opaca x cassine) all related hybrids and cultivars
• Ilex X Emily Bruner, a cross between I. cornuta x latifolia
• Ilex X Mary Nell, a triple cross hybrid (I. cornuta x latifolia x pernii)
• Ilex X Nellie R. Stevens:  a cornuta crossed with I. Opaca. 
• Any other hybrid that crosses the desired species listed above. Often, a species such as I. aquifolium will grow satisfactorily if crossed with an adaptable species, e.g. (I. aquafolium x I. Cornuta hybrids) depending on the genetic makeup. These would be worth trying - at least once. There are just too many hybrids to possibly list .

 

Reference Book Recommendation: An outstanding Reference Book on Hollies has been recently completed by Dr. Fred Galle of Calloway Gardens, Columbus GA. Although expensive $60, it it the ultimate reference book on Hollies of all species, with many color photos and illustrations. Dr. Galle is an internationally recognized specialist on azaleas but also has done outstanding work with Hollies. Any of his publications on these two types of woodland plants are highly recommended.

Insect and Disease Problems: The main problems you might encounter with hollies are White Fly infestations on the undersides of the leaves on Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly) and Ilex dimorphophylla which might damage some leaves but rarely kill a plant. Occasionally, scale may attack hollies.   Also, a root rot that will kill a plant and a fungus that causes blackened twigs and related die back are sometimes encountered with several species of hollies. Any die back should be pruned off immediately to avoid spreading. These can be avoided by growing hollies in well drained, organic soils. The least problematic holly to grow in our region is Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon). The problems mentioned above are not reason to avoid growing hollies along the Gulf Coast or Central Texas regions.

Cultivation Tips and Information: Hollies should be fertilized once a year in spring with a balanced formula fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10). Most hollies are unisexual (male flowering plants required to fertilize and produce berries on female plants). However, Ilex cornuta (Chnese Holly) produces berries without a male counterpart. Some Holly cultivars are male, some female. A cultivar of Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) called "Houston Pride" is bisexual and heavy fruiting. Most Yaupons are so common along the Gulf Coast, there is most likely a male plant within enough distance to fertilize female shrubs. Most Hollies respond well to pruning for shape and size control. Don't be bashful with the pruning shears.  Holies grown in Central Texas may show chlorosis and need to have the soil pH reduced or acidified.