Gardening: Hollies aren't only for the holidays

Wintertime in North Florida is a good time to install cold-hardy plants in the landscape. This allows the roots a little time to adapt to their new environment before warm weather stimulates the plant to push out new top growth. A good example of cold-hardy landscape plants that are versatile in the landscape are hollies.

There are more than 400 holly species (Ilex spp.) with sizes that range from trees that can reach 50 feet tall to low-growing shrubs that max out at 2 feet tall. Some are native to Florida, some prefer well-drained sites, while others like wet areas. Most are evergreen (keeps leaves year-round), and some produce colorful fruit.

Larger maturing varieties can be used as shade trees, while others may fit into narrow spaces used for patio accents or to soften corners on buildings. Shrub varieties can be grown with little or no pruning for a privacy hedge or manicured to create a more formal appearance. Leaves with sharp spikes are used to direct traffic and keep intruders at bay while others are planted as fillers or ground covers and don't resemble the traditional holly-leaf stereotype. The big advantage to growing hollies is if matched to the site, they require very little care.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida has 11 native holly species. The most widespread holly throughout the state is dahoon holly (Ilex cassine). Dahoon is an upright evergreen tree that thrives in moist soils. The most common holly in Florida is gallberry (Ilex glabra). Gallberry is a shrub maturing at 7 feet in height, has shiny black fruit, prefers moist soils and is popular for honey production.

American holly (Ilex opaca) is likely the most popular native holly. Known for its shiny dark green spiny leaves and red fruit, this tree can reach up to 50 feet in height. This holly prefers well-drained slightly acidic soil so will adapt well to most landscapes. Once established, it will require very little care and rarely needs supplemental irrigation.

Another outstanding native is yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), classified as a small vase-shaped tree or large shrub reaching 15 to 25 feet in height. When the berries are not present, one might question if this is a holly. Leaves have no obvious teeth or points and are small, leathery, oblong-shaped measuring 1 inch to 2¼ inches long. Scarlet or dark-red berries develop on short spurs and are attractive especially when contrasted by the light gray branches. Yaupon hollies will adapt to most landscape conditions and are salt tolerant, so can be grown at the beaches. Trees are available in a standard or weeping form (Pendula).

Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) and Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) are two groups of non-native hollies that are well adapted to Florida conditions.

There are also many hybrids that are the result of a cross between two or more species. Familiar names include East Palatka holly, Savannah holly and Nellie R. Stevens holly.

Now is a great time to purchase a holly to add to your landscape. When shopping, make sure to select one with berries, because that is a female plant. For more information on hollies for Florida: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg021.

Terry Brite DelValle is a horticulture extension agent with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS.