American Holly

Ilex opaca

American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a slow-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 15-30 ft × 10-20 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow, green and white blooms in spring. It attracts bees, butterflies and pollinators, stands up well to deer, salt and wind.

USDA zones

5-9

Sun

Full sun, Part shade

Water

Medium

Mature size

15-30 ft × 10-20 ft

Growth rate

Slow

Maintenance

Low

Soil

Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet

Bloom color

Yellow, Green, White

Bloom season

Spring

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds

Tough against

Deer, Salt, Wind

Native to

Eastern and central United States