Ilex Opaca / American Holly Genus - Ilex Species - Opaca Common name - American Holly Other names - White Holly Pre-Treatment - Required Hardiness zones - 5 - 9 Height / spread - 25'-50' / 7.60 - 15(30) m / 15'-40' / 4.60 - 12(25) m Plant type - Tree Vegetation type - Evergreen Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun Growth rate - Slow Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral Soil type - Clay, loam, sand, well drained Water requirements - Average Water, drought tolerant Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Foundation, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees Leaf / Flower color - Green, Dark Green / -- Plant growth rate - Slow American holly is an elegant evergreen tree that's ideal for home landscapes. Its dense branching, pyramidal habit and smooth gray bark are only a few of the appealing attributes of this broadleaf evergreen. Wild specimens grow in forests across the eastern half of the United States, from Maine to Texas, and are particularly common from the Appalachian Piedmont to the Atlantic coastal plain. The spiny, oval leaves of American holly are stiff and dull, dark green. Cultivars tend to have slightly glossy foliage. Sharp, yellowish spines that are painful to the touch arm the undulating leaf edges. Each leaf will persist on a tree for up to three years before falling. Small, white or greenish flowers appear in late spring or early summer on the current year's growth. The trees are dioecious, which means each specimen has either male or female flowers, never both. Only female trees yield red or orange-red berries in the fall, but male trees are needed for pollination and fruit-set. The colorful berries last well into the winter. Birds will eat the fruit over the course of the season. Landscape specimens perform best if provided plenty of sunshine and fertile soil with an acid to neutral pH. Established trees are tolerant of drought and will withstand the wind, saltspray and sandy soil near the ocean. Drying summer or winter winds, however, cause leaf desiccation. American holly also grows best in moist, average to well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Fast-draining sandy soils may be wet without causing these trees to succumb to root rot and fungal diseases. Information source: www.learn2grow.com. Extra seeds The seeds are hand-selected. You will never receive fewer seeds than stated. We include extra seeds always as possible ! Packing The seeds are securely packed in plastic labeled bags. You will get every seed with printed germination instruction included. The online extended PDF version will be accesible as well. You will receive: Seeds packed in plastic labeled bags Printed germination instructions Shipping We will ship from FLORIDA, UNITED STATES on the same or next business day after payment cleared by USPS First Class Mail with the printed the propagation and germination instructions. But you should check additional Internet resources for proper germination methods. Delivery time depends on your location (we always ship on the same or next business day after cleared payment): US buyers - 2-5 days non-US buyers - 7-30 days. Discounts Powered by HobbySeeds