American holly
Ilex opaca
Evergreen and berried; you need a male nearby for berries.
Hardiness: zones 5 to 9
Light: part shade
Size: about 40 ft tall, 20 ft wide
From: E. United States
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: wildlife.
Native to: Northeast, Southeast. Hardy in zones 5 to 9.
The story
American holly is the eastern native that stood in for English holly when colonists wanted Christmas greenery. George Washington planted it at Mount Vernon, and some of his trees' descendants still grow there.
Planting
Sun or part shade and moist, acid, well-drained soil. Shelter it from winter wind in the north. You need a male within bee range for berries.
Growing
Mulch and water while young. Prune in December and use the cuttings.
Harvest and use
Red berries that soften after a few freezes and feed robins, bluebirds and waxwings in late winter. Evergreen cover all year.
What to watch for
Slow. Spiny leaves. Berries are for birds, not people.
See if American holly fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home