Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
Topal holly
Ilex × attenuata
Whole tree — Ilex × attenuata. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadePhoto by David J. Stang ↗ · 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
Study several mature leaves; spine count and blade width overlap among holly hybrids and parents.
Read the bark
Light gray bark is relatively smooth when young.
Fruit & seed
Red berry-like drupes can be abundant; these do not by themselves prove a named selection.
Winter character
Persistent leaves provide winter material, but cultivar confirmation still needs provenance.
Origin & place
A cultivated selection of a hybrid between American and dahoon hollies, both North American species. Hybrid parentage does not establish local wild nativity.
WNC Notes
A hybrid of American and dahoon hollies. Fruit depends on the tree and pollination; allow space for the mature evergreen crown.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
12–25
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
8–18
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
White
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Evergreen; red fruit
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
High
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 × attenuata. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadePhoto by David J. Stang ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Species reference; does not confirm the named variety. Photograph subject: branch with spiny green leaves and small white flowers☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeZihao Wang ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.holly leaves and berries; cultivar named by the Wikimedia Commons contributor.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadePhoto by David J. Stang ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.branch with spiny green leaves and small white flowers. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeZihao Wang ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.
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