Holly Type
American Holly
American holly (Ilex opaca) is the classic native evergreen of the eastern United States — a den…
The holly taxonomy
Holly Types
Hollies are grouped into species and types that share how they grow, fruit, and are best used. Understanding the types is the fastest way to choose the right holly — and to grow it well. Explore all 82 profiled varieties through the 10 types below.
Holly Type
English Holly
English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is the glossy, richly spined holly of European gardens and Chris…
Holly Type
Chinese Holly
Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) is a heat-tolerant evergreen best known through the Burford holly —…
Holly Type
Japanese Holly
Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) looks nothing like Christmas holly — its small, smooth, spineless …
Holly Type
Blue & Meserve Holly
Blue hollies (Ilex × meserveae) are cold-hardy hybrids with lustrous blue-green foliage and heav…
Holly Type
Yaupon Holly
Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a tough, drought- and salt-tolerant Southern native with small …
Holly Type
Inkberry Holly
Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is a native evergreen holly with small smooth leaves and black berries — …
Holly Type
Winterberry Holly
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a deciduous holly grown for one spectacular effect: after its…
Holly Type
Hybrid Hollies
Hybrid hollies — led by fast-growing Nellie R. Stevens — are modern crosses bred for dense, glos…
Holly Type
Native & Other Hollies
Beyond the mainstream species lies a rich group of native and specialty hollies — possumhaw, dah…