Get It Growing for 12/13/24

Red and green are synonymous with decorating during the holiday season — and that’s partly because nature is awash in those colors this time of year.

No group of plants exemplifies this better than hollies. With their beautiful green foliage and bright red-to-orange berries, these plants aren’t only aesthetically pleasing. Those festively colored berries also provide an important winter food source for birds and other animals.

Another wonderful quality of hollies is that they are extremely durable in the landscape, adapting to a wide variety of soil types and drainage situations. Most hollies will grow in sun or part shade. And winter is the perfect time to plant them in your landscape!

Hollies are woody ornamental species that belong to the genus Ilex. There are more than 400 species of hollies in the world, 17 of which are native to the eastern United States — and several can be found here in Louisiana. Selection and breeding efforts in recent decades have introduced a wealth of unique cultivars to the market, so there’s a holly out there to satisfy every taste.

We typically think of hollies as evergreen plants. While most species do in fact keep their glossy green leaves year-round, a few are deciduous. And contrary to popular belief, not all hollies have pointed or sharp leaves.

Most species grow naturally as small- to medium-sized trees. Other options offer smaller, shrubby shapes.

Another important point about hollies: Most species are dioecious, meaning they are either male or female. It’s the female plants that bear fruit — the stunning red and orange berries — so choosing female plants or cultivars that are specifically propagated as females will give you the best winter show. Just remember that you’ll need a male holly in the area for any female plants to successfully set fruit.

Although the males don’t produce berries, both male and female hollies produce small white flowers that are attractive to pollinators.

There’s a holly for just about every landscaping need. Here are LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg’s recommendations:

If you’re looking for a dependable evergreen holly: Stagg suggests the American holly (Ilex opaca). The tree naturally forms a pyramid reaching up to 40 feet tall. Its bark is banded with horizontal shades of silver and gray.

Another of Stagg’s favorites is the dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), an excellent choice for a small, evergreen tree. Dahoons set themselves apart with smaller, smoother and more rounded leaves.

If you want to establish an attractive evergreen fence or screen: Look no further than the Oak Leaf holly.

“This holly is not native, but it is not invasive either,” Stagg said. “Its unique, glossy oak leaf-shaped leaves cover the plant so densely that you can’t see through it. It naturally wants to grow upright into a pyramid, making pruning almost unnecessary.”

Oak Leaf has a variegated cousin called Golden Oakland, which sports striking yellow-and-green variegations. Golden Oakland is stable in full sun or part shade, so its variegated pattern will show up in a range of lighting conditions — although the colors will be brighter with more sunlight.

Both Oak Leaf and Golden Oakland will produce berries, but usually not as many as some native species.

If you’re looking for a smaller plant or something to create a short hedge: Stagg’s go-to plant in this category is the dwarf form of Louisiana’s native yaupon holly.

“These workhorse plants have been in the industry for decades but are often overlooked because of their small leaves compared to boxwoods,” he said. “But for me, it’s that delicate leaf texture that is one of this plant’s most enjoyable qualities.”

Most of these dwarf cultivars are male and do not produce berries. But there are a few female, fruit-bearing cultivars available, including Taylor’s Rudolph.

Festive red and green hues can be found in nature this time of year. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Holly berries are an important winter food source for wildlife. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Many holly species, such as this East Palatka holly, grow as trees while others have a more compact, shrub-like form. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Golden Oakland, a variegated holly cultivar, is a colorful option for an evergreen fence or screen. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Dwarf yaupon holly makes a great choice for a short hedge. Its fine leaf texture adds visual interest to the landscape. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter