Ilex

The genus Ilex is a group of trees and shrubs commonly referred to as holly. Plants in this genus have simple, alternate, evergreen or deciduous leaves, typically with a spiny toothed, or serrated leaf margin.

Hollies are best known for their fruit, but their flowers are typically dioecious, meaning that you must plant at least one male plant for every 3 females in order for the females to produce fruit. However, some cultivars produce fruit parthenocarpically, such as 'Nellie R. Stevens'.

Popular tree types (15+') in the Tennessee region include: Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri', Ilex opaca, Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens' and Ilex vomitoria.

Popular large shrub types (8-15') in the Tennessee region include: Ilex cornuta 'Burfordi', 'Needlepoint', 'Rotunda', Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Boy', 'Blue Girl', 'China Boy', 'China Girl', Ilex decidua (deciduous).

Popular small shrub types (1-6') in the Tennessee region include: Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford' ('Burfordii Nana') and 'Carissa', Ilex crenata 'Compacta', 'Green Luster', 'Helleri', 'Hetzii', Ilex glabra 'Compacta', 'Shamrock', Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' (deciduous), I. verticillata x I. serrata 'Sparkleberry' (deciduous), Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'.