Holly bushes and shrubs are beloved for their glossy leaves, vibrant berries, and year-round appeal. This list covers 35 distinct types of holly, providing detailed descriptions and identification tips to help gardeners, landscapers, and plant enthusiasts choose the perfect holly for their needs. Whether you want a classic Christmas decoration or a hardy privacy hedge, you’ll find valuable information here.
1. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
American Holly is a native evergreen with spiny, dark green leaves and bright red berries that attract birds. It can grow up to 50 feet tall but is often maintained as a shrub for hedges. Its tolerance to shade and moderate drought makes it popular in landscapes across the eastern U.S.
2. English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Known for its sharply spined leaves and shiny surface, English Holly is a traditional Christmas holly species. It produces abundant red berries and can grow into a large tree or shrub, often used for ornamental hedges and topiary. It thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade.
3. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
Japanese Holly is prized for its small, rounded leaves resembling boxwood, making it excellent for formal hedges and bonsai. It is more tolerant of pruning than many hollies and produces black berries instead of red. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic soil.
4. Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)
Inkberry is a deciduous holly with glossy, dark green leaves that turn bronze in winter. It produces black berries and is valued for its adaptability to wet soils and coastal conditions. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall and is commonly used in naturalistic landscapes and as a low-maintenance hedge.
5. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Winterberry is a deciduous holly notable for its bright red berries that persist well into winter after leaf drop. It grows best in wet or acidic soils and requires a male pollinator nearby for berry production. Its colorful berries make it a favorite for winter floral arrangements.
6. Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
Yaupon is a native holly with small, serrated leaves and bright red berries. It is highly drought tolerant and can be pruned into formal hedges or grown as a natural shrub. Historically, its leaves were used by Native Americans to brew a caffeinated tea.
7. Foster Holly (Ilex x attenuata ‘Fosteri’)
Foster Holly is a hybrid prized for its dense, dark green foliage and heavy berry production. It grows 15 to 25 feet tall and is often used as a specimen tree or privacy screen. It tolerates a range of soils and is resistant to common holly pests.
8. Nellie R. Stevens Holly (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)
This hybrid holly combines the best traits of English and Foster hollies, offering glossy leaves and bright red berries. It grows quickly to 15-25 feet and is widely used as an evergreen hedge. It tolerates heat and urban pollution, making it ideal for city landscapes.
9. Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’)
A compact form of Yaupon Holly, this variety grows only 3 to 5 feet tall with dense, small leaves. It is an excellent choice for low hedges, foundation plantings, and container gardens. It tolerates pruning well and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
10. Santa Cruz Holly (Ilex x ‘Santa Cruz’)
Santa Cruz Holly is a hybrid with glossy, spiny leaves and abundant red berries. It matures at 15-20 feet and is valued for its disease resistance and adaptability. It’s a great choice for privacy screens and wildlife gardens.
11. Foster Dwarf Holly (Ilex x attenuata ‘Fosteri Nana’)
This is a compact cultivar of Foster Holly, reaching about 6 feet tall, with dense, dark green foliage and bright red berries. It is perfect for smaller landscapes needing evergreen interest and winter color. It tolerates pruning for shaping.
12. Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ and ‘Blue Princess’)
Blue Holly cultivars are hybrids known for their unique bluish-green leaves and vibrant red berries. They grow 10 to 15 feet tall and require both male (‘Blue Prince’) and female (‘Blue Princess’) plants for berry production. Their striking foliage color adds visual interest year-round.
13. China Berry Holly (Ilex cornuta)
This holly features broad, spiny leaves and bright red berries. It grows quickly to 15 feet and tolerates heat and humidity well. The unique horned leaf edges distinguish it from other hollies, making it a popular choice in the southern U.S.
14. Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii Nana’)
A dwarf form of Burford Holly, it grows 4-6 feet tall with glossy, spiny leaves and red berries. It is widely used in formal hedges and foundation plantings. It tolerates pruning well and resists heat and drought.
15. Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’)
Burford Holly is a fast-growing shrub or small tree with large, glossy leaves and bright red berries. It can reach 15 to 20 feet and is commonly used as a privacy screen. Its dense growth and adaptability to various soils make it a landscape staple.
16. Dwarf Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Dwarf Burford’)
This compact variety is popular for small gardens, growing up to 6 feet. It has dark green, spiny leaves and produces red berries. It tolerates pruning and is often used in formal landscapes and hedges.
17. Foster’s Holly (Ilex x attenuata)
Foster’s Holly is a hybrid known for its upright form, dark green leaves, and bright red berries. It grows 15 to 25 feet tall and is favored for its dense foliage and ability to withstand pruning. It thrives in acidic, moist soils.
18. Yaupon Dwarf Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’)
A weeping form of Yaupon Holly, this variety features cascading branches and small, serrated leaves. It grows 5 to 7 feet tall and is often used as a specimen plant or in mixed shrub borders. It produces red berries and tolerates heat and drought.
19. Pyramid Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’)
Sky Pencil Holly is a narrow, columnar cultivar of Japanese Holly, growing up to 6 feet tall but only 1-2 feet wide. Its dense, dark green foliage makes it perfect for vertical accents, small spaces, or container gardening. It prefers moist, acidic soil and partial shade.
20. Burford Dwarf Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii Nana’)
This dwarf Burford variety grows 3 to 6 feet tall with spiny, dark green leaves and red berries. It is heat tolerant and used extensively in southern landscapes for hedging and foundation planting. It responds well to pruning and shaping.
21. Nellie R. Stevens Dwarf Holly
A smaller form of the classic Nellie R. Stevens, this holly grows 8 to 12 feet tall with glossy, spiny leaves and bright red berries. It is popular for smaller spaces or as a foundation shrub, offering year-round interest and excellent disease resistance.
22. Ilex x ‘Mary Nell’
Mary Nell is a hybrid holly with dense, dark green leaves and abundant red berries. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and is valued for its vigorous growth and adaptability to different soils. It is commonly used for privacy hedges and wildlife gardens.
23. Ilex x ‘China Boy’
China Boy is a hybrid between Ilex cornuta and Ilex aquifolium, offering spiny, glossy leaves and bright red berries. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and features a broad, upright habit. Its disease resistance and adaptability make it a reliable landscape plant.
24. Ilex x ‘China Girl’
China Girl is the female counterpart to China Boy, producing abundant red berries when pollinated. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and has broad, spiny leaves. It is often paired with China Boy for berry production in gardens.
25. Ilex x ‘Heckenstar’ (Dwarf Heckenstar Holly)
This compact holly grows 3 to 4 feet tall with dense, dark green foliage and bright red berries. It tolerates pruning and is ideal for low hedges or foundation plantings. It prefers acidic, well-drained soils and partial sun.
26. Ilex x ‘Sky Pencil’ Holly
Distinct from the Japanese Sky Pencil, this cultivar is a narrow, columnar holly perfect for tight spaces. It grows slowly to about 6 feet tall and has small, dark green leaves. It is often used for vertical accents or container planting.
27. Ilex x ‘Pride of Houston’
Pride of Houston is a hybrid holly with broad, spiny leaves and bright red berries. It grows 15 to 25 feet tall and is popular in southern U.S. landscapes for its heat tolerance and dense growth. It makes an excellent privacy screen and wildlife habitat.
28. Ilex x ‘Soft Touch’ Holly
Soft Touch is a hybrid holly that features less spiny, softer leaves compared to typical hollies, making it more user-friendly for hedges near walkways. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and produces red berries. It is drought tolerant and adapts well to urban conditions.
29. Ilex x ‘Dragon Lady’ Holly
Dragon Lady is a hybrid with glossy, dark green leaves and abundant red berries. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and is valued for its dense growth habit and disease resistance. It performs well in both sun and partial shade.
30. Ilex x ‘Savannah’ Holly
Savannah Holly is a hybrid known for its upright form, spiny leaves, and bright red berries. It grows 15 to 20 feet tall and tolerates heat and humidity well. It is often used in southern landscapes for privacy screens and hedges.
31. Ilex x ‘Cardinal’ Holly
Cardinal Holly is a compact hybrid producing glossy, spiny leaves and vibrant red berries. It grows 8 to 12 feet tall and is prized for its winter interest and ability to attract birds. It tolerates pruning and adapts well to various soils.
32. Ilex x ‘East Palatka’ Holly
East Palatka is a fast-growing holly with spiny, glossy leaves and plentiful red berries. It grows up to 20 feet tall and is heat and drought tolerant, making it ideal for southern U.S. landscapes. It is commonly used as a hedge or screen.
33. Ilex x ‘Schilling’s Dwarf’ Holly
Schilling’s Dwarf is a compact holly growing 4 to 6 feet tall with dense, dark green leaves and red berries. It is well suited for foundation plantings, low hedges, and container gardening. It tolerates pruning and partial shade.
34. Ilex x ‘China Boy’ Dwarf
A smaller form of China Boy Holly, this cultivar grows 6 to 8 feet tall with glossy, spiny leaves and bright red berries. It is often used in smaller gardens or as an accent shrub. Its dense growth habit makes it good for screening.
35. Ilex x ‘Blue Angel’ Holly
Blue Angel is a hybrid holly with striking blue-green leaves and bright red berries. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall and prefers acidic, well-drained soils. Its unique foliage color adds an ornamental touch to gardens and landscapes.
How to Choose
When selecting a holly bush or shrub, consider your climate zone, soil type, and the plant’s mature size. Decide if you want evergreen or deciduous hollies, as deciduous types like Winterberry lose their leaves but provide spectacular winter berries. Also, check if you need male and female plants for berry production, especially for species like Winterberry. Think about the intended use—privacy hedge, foundation planting, or ornamental specimen—as growth habits vary widely. Finally, assess maintenance needs; some hollies tolerate heavy pruning and urban conditions better than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do all hollies produce berries?
Not all hollies produce berries, and only female plants bear fruit. Male plants are necessary nearby to pollinate most berry-producing hollies.
Q: Are holly berries toxic?
Yes, holly berries are mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities, especially to children and pets, causing nausea or vomiting.
Q: How fast do hollies grow?
Growth rates vary by species and cultivar; some hollies grow slowly (6-12 inches per year) while hybrids like Nellie R. Stevens grow faster (up to 2 feet per year).
Q: Can hollies tolerate shade?
Many hollies, such as American and English Holly, tolerate partial shade, but berry production is generally better in full sun.
Q: How do I prune holly bushes?
Prune hollies in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Trim selectively to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged branches.
Q: Are hollies deer resistant?
Most hollies are moderately deer resistant due to their spiny leaves, but heavy browsing can occur in areas with high deer populations.
Final Thoughts
Holly bushes and shrubs offer year-round beauty, wildlife benefits, and versatile landscape uses. With dozens of species and cultivars available, you can find hollies suited to nearly any garden condition or style. Understanding their growth habits, berry production, and environmental preferences will help you select the perfect holly to enhance your outdoor space for seasons to come.
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