It may be August but I’m getting stoked up for the Holidays, thinking about American holly (Ilex opaca), a tree that breathes festivity!  In winter’s white silence, American holly radiates merriment showing red berries on olive green leaves.  Boughs often find their way into Christmas wreathes although this tree is a great year-round addition to the landscape.  

American holly grows to a height of 15 to 30 feet.  Native to the Eastern Coast and nearer Midwest, northern cultivars have spread across Iowa and up into Southern to Central Minnesota.  When purchasing American Holly, do be careful to select a cultivar that has proven its hardiness in the Midwest.  If you have any questions about that, you might consult the website of the Dawes Arboretum in Columbus, Ohio.  They have an excellent collection of over 200 cultivars adapted to the Midwest.

When selecting your specimen, you must be mindful that American Holly is dioecious.  In other words, there are boy trees and girl trees.  So, a male tree must be in the neighborhood for female trees to produce fruit.  There are a number of hybrids available commercially.  They do grow more rapidly than the native variety.  However, they are far less hardy.  A severe Minnesota winter can reduce their leaves to a dingy brown, not so festive for Christmas.  If you are patient, the native cultivars will slowly grow and demonstrate remarkable hardiness.  

A few points for siting should be kept in mind.  American holly is hardy only to Zone 5.  So, in Minnesota it is best to select a protected site from the winter winds.  Also, it requires full sun to part shade to thrive.  Our hot summers can also affect the tree, so it’s best to site is where it enjoys the afternoon shade.  Well-drained soil is a must.  It does best in a neutral to acid soil, so amendments should be made if your soil is alkaline.

If care is taken and patience exercised, American holly will provide great rewards.  This stately and colorful tree will bring joy and lift the spirits for many a Holiday Season.

Photo Credit: Missouri Botanical Garden (1,2)