Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
American holly
Ilex opaca
Whole tree — Ilex opaca. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeRyan Hodnett ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Leaf spots and root problems can occur; yellowing may also reflect unsuitable soil pH or drainage.
Insects to recognize
Scale and spider mites are useful to recognize. Some hollies also get leafminers, which leave pale winding or blotchy trails within leaves.
When to look
Inspect leaf undersides and twig scales in spring; check mites during dry summer weather.
A useful first step
Confirm the insect and correct drainage or soil problems before treatment. A sticky black coating often points to honeydew-producing insects.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Leaves are stiff with sharp marginal points; compare several because spine number and shape vary.
Read the bark
Gray bark is relatively smooth, becoming rougher with age.
Fruit & seed
Red berry-like drupes occur on female trees; fruitlessness does not rule out the species.
Winter character
Evergreen foliage and alternate twigs remain available for study.
Origin & place
The species occurs naturally in the southern Appalachian region; a planted specimen is not evidence of wild local origin.
WNC Notes
Durable native evergreen; female fruit requires a nearby male pollinizer and acidic soil.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
40–60
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
10–20
BLOOM SEASON
Late spring
BLOOM COLOR
Greenish white
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Evergreen; red fruit
Wet-Soil Tolerance
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Ilex opaca. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeRyan Hodnett ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Leaves and berries in November in Warren County, North Carolina. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy DeWitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.Smooth trunks of American holly — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy Dewitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Leaves & Berries - November - Warren Co., NC — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy DeWitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Your margin of the garden.
Saved only in this browser on this device. Export your notes from My garden in the library.
_-_Wyckoff,_New_Jersey_2023-01-15.jpg){kind=link}