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Plant Encyclopedia > Ilex

Ilex (Ilex)

The plants known as ilex include both evergreen and deciduous trees. Long associated with Christmas, certain cultivars of ilex whose berries ripen in winter are used in floral and natural decorations. The contrast of bright red berries against dark, glossy, pointed leaves create a festive appearance. Birds and other animals are attracted to the berries, which provide important nutrients during the colder months. The berries are considered toxic to humans, however.

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Key Facts About Ilex

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Attributes of Ilex

Plant Height

25 m

Spread

15 m

Leaf type

Evergreen

Ideal Temperature

10 - 35 ℃

Scientific Classification of Ilex

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Distribution of Ilex

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Distribution Map of Ilex

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

How to Grow and Care for Ilex

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Ilex is a versatile plant genus requiring moderate care. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Ideally, a neutral to slightly acidic pH suits ilex best. Watering needs are moderate and regular, adapting to the plant's tolerance to dry spells. Common challenges include common pests like scale, spider mites, whitefly and diseases like leaf spot and root rot. Ilex is hardy but may require protection against winter winds. Seasonal pruning can enhance vitality and shape.

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Exploring the Ilex Plants

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8 most common species：

Common holly

Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen tree or shrub, recognized by the characteristic shape of its leaves and bright red berries. Its natural habitat is understories of oak and beech forests. Common holly is widely used in landscaping in temperate regions. Thick crown and prickly leaves make this plant excellent for hedges.

American holly

Ilex opaca, commonly known as american holly, is a medium-sized evergreen tree, commonly found in southeastern areas of North America as an understory tree in humid forests. Its bright red fruits are poisonous to humans but are a very important source of food for numerous species of birds.

Kurogane holly

Kurogane holly (Ilex rotunda) is one of the most attractive hollies and is an evergreen that will grow to 15 m tall. Native to Japan it has been growing in the United States for some 200 years. It blooms in spring with bright red berries ripening in fall to winter offering a stunning display for winter.

Yaupon

Yaupon is a small tree or large shrub native to the southeastern United States. It is known for its small, evergreen leaves and its small, white flowers that bloom in the spring. The tree produces small, black berries that are favored by a variety of birds. In the garden, yaupon is often used as a hedge or border plant due to its dense growth habit and its ability to tolerate trimming. In addition to its practical uses in the garden, yaupon has a long history of use by Native American tribes, who used the plant for medicinal purposes and as a source of caffeine. The leaves of the plant can be brewed into a tea that is similar in flavor to black tea.

Japanese holly

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is an evergreen shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea. Japanese holly is a flowering plant, and its flowers transition into berries during summer. This plant is popularly planted as an ornamental shrub and can be grown as a Bonsai tree.

Chinese holly

Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) is an evergreen shrub native to China and Korea. The chinese holly is often grown ornamentally in gardens and is considered easy to grow and maintain. The chinese holly bears fruits that are thought to be superior to other holly species.

Inkberry

Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is a species native to the eastern United States. Inkberry is valued for its flavorful floral blossoms which are used as commercial ingredients in honey. Its leaves can be turned into a tea which is popular in East Asia.

Common winterberry

Common winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a berry species commonly grown in eastern gardens within the United States. Common winterberry is valued for its ability to grow in temperate climates and the colors it provides as an ornamental plant. The common winterberry is also called Michigan holly.

All Species of Ilex

Possumhaw is a deciduous shrub that can grow to tree-like dimensions in the right conditions. The leaves are a dark green and the fruits are red, shiny, and round with a diameter of 4 to 8 mm. Only female plants produce these berries.

Mochi tree

Mochi tree

The mochi tree tree is a hermaphrodite ornamental tree native to Asia. The bark is used in birdlime, while the young leaves are gathered in the wild for local food use. In some cultures, the mochi tree is also planted as a sacred tree.

Peach-leaf holly

Peach-leaf holly

Peach-leaf holly is easily recognizable for its 12 m plus height and showy flowers that make it a popular ornamental tree. It is also grown for its bright-colored berries in the fall and winter. The plant is also an important food source for bees and wildlife.

Mountain holly

Mountain holly (Ilex mucronata) is a deciduous shrub related to other forms of holly. It serves as a host for Columbia silkmoth caterpillars. Grows around swamps and bogs in eastern North America. Iconic red berries appear in late summer or early fall and attract birds.

Large gallberry

Large gallberry

The large gallberry is an understory plant found in coastal plains, swamps, and woodlands. It is an important nectar source for bees to produce light-colored honey. The plant is also used to protect watersheds and stabilize the soil.

Buerger holly

Buerger holly

Buerger holly is a broadleaf evergreen species known for its glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, which resemble those of holly. Its adaptive nature allows it to thrive in a variety of soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained conditions. In its native habitat, buerger holly often develops into a small yet robust tree, adorned with small, white flowers that yield red berries, providing visual interest and sustenance for local wildlife.

Mate

Yerba mate, or Ilex paraguariensis, begins as a shrub and then matures to a tree and can grow up to 15 metres tall. The leaves are evergreen, 8 to 109 mm long and 3 to 6 cm wide, with a serrated margin. The leaves are often called yerba (Spanish) or erva (Portuguese), both of which mean "herb".

Holly 'Golden King'

Holly 'Golden King'

With green leaves variegated with gold, holly 'Golden King' truly is a golden ruler. However, it is not a king as it is a female variety of Ilex × altaclerensis that blooms white flowers in spring and summer followed by red berries in autumn and winter. Ilex × altaclerensis is the result of crossing Ilex aquifolium and Ilex perado. This cross is the reason why this hybrid has beautiful green and gold variegated foliage.

Common holly 'Ferox'

Common holly 'Ferox'

Common holly 'Ferox' is a Common holly cultivar with deep green leaves, edged cream-white, and covered with spines not only on their edges but also on their upper surface. The name was derived from the Latin word "Ferox" which means warlike and refers to the spiny character of the plant.

Common holly 'Ferox Argentea'

Common holly 'Ferox Argentea'

With unique variegated spiked leaves, the common holly 'Ferox Argentea' is a sterile male holly cultivar, properly named the "hedgehog holly". Gardeners keep the plant for hedges and foundations, or as a mixed shrub border; however, this cultivar can become invasive. This cultivar offers winter interest with red berries in the fall and white flowers in the spring which provides gardeners with a visually appealing evergreen shrub.

Dwarf pagoda Japanese holly

Dwarf pagoda Japanese holly

Its smaller size makes dwarf pagoda Japanese holly a popular container plant, but it is also used as a small landscaping shrub. Its size sets the evergreen apart from other plants in the genus, along with its smaller-than-average leaves.

Common holly 'Madame Briot'

Common holly 'Madame Briot'

A holly variety distinguished by its purple stems and variegated green and cream coloration, common holly 'Madame Briot' produces small white flowers and bright red berries. The variety is named for its connection with Charles Briot, a French grower.

Common holly 'Handsworth New Silver'

Common holly 'Handsworth New Silver'

Common holly 'Handsworth New Silver' is cultivated from Common holly in the Aquifoliaceae family. It is named 'Handsworth New Silver' due to the white outer marking on the leaves which give it a silvery appearance. It was also cultivated for its purple shoots. The young shoots provide a bit of color in the garden, so it's a popular choice for gardeners.

Burford

Burford

Burford presents as a hardy shrub with small, deep green, ovate leaves that have a distinctive leathery texture. It boasts tiny, inconspicuous flowers followed by bright, ornamental berries. This plant thrives in well-drained soils, often found in understories or margins of forests, where it has adapted to flourish under dappled sunlight.

Downy holly

Downy holly

With its soft, downy leaves, downy holly is a resilient evergreen shrub distinguished by its gleaming, spiny-edged foliage. Its adaptability allows it to flourish in a diverse range of environments, often found under the shade of larger trees. The emergence of delicate white flowers further characterizes downy holly, adding to its robust yet understated beauty.

Common holly 'Golden Queen'

Common holly 'Golden Queen'

Common holly 'Golden Queen' is a variegated cultivar of the Common holy. While the parent plant has solid dark green leaves, this cultivar was bred to have larger and more attractive leaves that are distinguished by their prominent golden-yellow margins. Common holly 'Golden Queen' is a male cultivar.

Highclere holly

Highclere holly

Highclere holly is a large, hardy evergreen shrub known for its glossy, dark green leaves, often with variable yellow margins or centers. It typically grows in a pyramid shape, prefering shaded areas. Named for its origin at the Highclere Castle in England, its vibrant red berries add a bold splash of color in winter landscapes.

Japanese Holly 'Sky Pencil'

Japanese Holly 'Sky Pencil'

Japanese Holly 'Sky Pencil' is often used in landscaping to create natural hedges and line driveways and walkways. Its narrow growth form makes the evergreen easy to identify. It also sets the shrub apart from other species in the genus. Its tall, narrow growth is also why the plant is commonly called ‘Sky pencil.’

Holly 'Blue Princess'

Holly 'Blue Princess'

With vibrant, spiny leaves, holly 'Blue Princess' is an evergreen holly recognized by its glossy, deep blue-green foliage and purple stems. In autumn, females of this hardy hybrid dazzle with bright red berries if a male pollinator is nearby. Thriving in well-drained soils and partial to full sun, holly 'Blue Princess' offers year-round interest and is favored for holiday decorations.

Common holly 'Watereriana'

Common holly 'Watereriana'

Common holly 'Watereriana' has smooth leaves with edges and blotches of yellow. As such, they're more colorful (as well as being softer and thinner) than the plant's parentage, Ilex aquifolium. The evergreen foliage gives year-round color and it makes a good low-maintenance security hedge if need be.

Common winterberry 'Red Sprite'

Common winterberry 'Red Sprite'

Common winterberry 'Red Sprite' is a common Winterberry, a member of the holly family that produces a striking abundance of bright red berries in the fall and winter seasons. This particularly abundant fruition sets it apart from its parent plant and explains its name. Common winterberry 'Red Sprite' grows to a height of 1.5 m, so it's much smaller than the original plant. Gardeners favor it as it's hardy and grows well in colder climates.

Japanese holly 'Brass Buckle'

Japanese holly 'Brass Buckle'

Japanese holly 'Brass Buckle' is a golden leafed, brass-colored, variety of Japanese holly. This cultivar was developed and registered by Proven Winners and its glossy yellow leaves are much more striking than the subdued green colored leaves of its parent plant. Japanese holly 'Brass Buckle' is a popular evergreen shrub among gardeners, commonly used as an edging plant.

Common holly 'Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo'

Ilex aquifolium 'Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo'

Common holly 'Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo'

Common holly 'Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo' is a self-fertilizing evergreen shrub similar to the pyramidal holly, but it produces yellow berries instead of red berries that appear through winter. The name comes from the conical shape and the fruit it bears. Most people add this holly cultivar to their garden for ornamental purposes, and its large size can serve as a privacy border.

Holly 'Hodginsii'

Holly 'Hodginsii'

Holly 'Hodginsii' is a hybrid holly with a striking, broad-rounded form. Noted for its large, dark green, glossy leaves with few spines, this evergreen shrub boasts small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries in fall. The dense foliage provides excellent year-round shelter and food for wildlife. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, with partial to full sunlight.

Holly 'Belgica Aurea'

Holly 'Belgica Aurea'

A hardy, robust holly cultivar, holly 'Belgica Aurea' produces larger clusters of berries and leaves than a typical holly plant, making this variety of holly particularly festive for the holiday season. Its bushy growth habit makes it a popular plant for hedging and screening among gardeners.

Japanese holly 'Golden Gem'

Japanese holly 'Golden Gem'

Japanese holly 'Golden Gem' is a dense, compact evergreen shrub noted for its small, rounded golden-yellow leaves that add a splash of sunlight to gardens. It typically thrives in partial shade, allowing its vivid foliage to stand out in contrast against darker, green plants. This hardy cultivar is low-maintenance, ideally suited to creating colorful borders or low hedges in various environmental settings.

Holly 'Sunny Foster'

Holly 'Sunny Foster'

Given the "Holly of the Year" award in 2006, holly 'Sunny Foster' is highly popular, and it's easy to see why. With bronze leaves that turn yellow in summertime, and red berries that grace the plant during fall, holly 'Sunny Foster' boasts a year-round display. This Holly cultivar is a sport of Ilex x attenuata "Fosteri".

Rough-leaved holly

Ilex asprella, also known as rough-leaved holly and plum-leaved holly, is a deciduous shrub native in South East Asia. Ilex asprella is one of the few deciduous species in the family Aquifoliaceae.

Bioritsu holly

Bioritsu holly

Bioritsu holly is a hardy evergreen shrub recognized for its glossy, spiny leaves that contribute to its resilience against herbivores. Native to forested areas, this plant adapts to understorey conditions with a compact growth habit. Its small, inconspicuous flowers give way to bright red berries, which are visually striking against the dark green foliage and serve to attract birds aiding in seed dispersal.

Common holly 'Argentea Marginata'

Common holly 'Argentea Marginata'

Common holly 'Argentea Marginata', which translates to "gold edges," is a variant of common or English holly. It is named for the leaf patterning, which is green with yellowy margins. With an adult size of 12 m, it can be grown as a tree or kept small as a shrub. It is enjoyed for its decorative leaves and versatility in gardens.

Common winterberry 'Winter Gold'

Common winterberry 'Winter Gold' (Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold') is a shorter female cultivar of winterberry (Ilex verticillata) named for the orange-yellow berries it produces throughout the winter months and into spring; these berries attract many species of birds but the tree as a whole is not popular among gardeners as other cultivars have more attractive and prominent flowers.

Common holly 'J.C. van Tol'

Common holly 'J.C. van Tol'

Common holly 'J.C. van Tol' is also known as smooth-leaved common holly. This variant was created for its small, dark green, glossy leaves which are densely-packed on the plant. It is a small cultivar which reaches a maximum height of just 3 to 7 meters. Because of these traits, it is popular with gardeners for making hedges and borders.

Common holly 'Green Pillar'

Common holly 'Green Pillar'

Common holly 'Green Pillar' is a Common holly cultivar, selected not so much for its visual characteristics but its reliability and cold-hardiness. It is also prized as a slow-growing and robust Common holly cultivar, with a strongly columnar growth form, which makes it a perfect hedge plant.

Common holly 'Amber'

Common holly 'Amber'

Common holly 'Amber' is a holly hybrid introduced by Hillier Nurseries, UK, sometime before 1955. It differs from the common holly by boasting striking apricot-orange to coral-orange berries. This is where the name "amber" comes from. Also, the green glossy leaves are larger than average. The variety remained relatively unknown for decades, but seems to have grown in popularity since 2000s.

Common winterberry 'Wildfire'

Common winterberry 'Wildfire'

Common winterberry 'Wildfire' is a much-loved cultivar of winterberry, known also as feverbark, black alder or swamp winterberry. This variant produces small white flowers followed by red berries. The contrast between these and the green foliage is truly delightful. This is a female plant, which needs a male cultivar in order to fertilize it and make berries.

Inkberry 'Shamrock'

Inkberry 'Shamrock'

Originally cultivated from Ilex glabra, inkberry 'Shamrock' is a more compact and less leggy hybrid than its parent. It's a female plant that, without a male, can't produce the characteristic blue berries that make it so popular among gardeners and birds alike. The reason for its name is still ambiguous.

Common holly 'Golden Milkboy'

Common holly 'Golden Milkboy'

Common holly 'Golden Milkboy' is a holly cultivar unique for its gorgeous green foliage that is splashed with gold (for which it is named). It is much shorter than its parent plant, reaching only 6 m instead of 25 m. Unlike other Common holly varieties, common holly 'Golden Milkboy' does not produce berries.

Common holly 'Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata'

Ilex aquifolium 'Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata'

Common holly 'Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata'

Common holly 'Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata' means "gold stained" in Latin. It's a good description of the variegated green and green-gold leaves of this hybrid holly. By contrast, the parent plant has plain dark-green leaves. This hybrid has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. It is a popular ornamental garden shrub.

Common holly 'Silver Queen'

Common holly 'Silver Queen'

Common holly 'Silver Queen' gets its elegant name from the crisp silvery-white edges of its leaves. The berries are bright orange-red, and the cultivar is therefore popular for its striking appearance which is archetypal of winter foliage. This cultivar is small and grows slowly, so it is often enjoyed in pots and in small gardens.

More Popular Genus

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Dracaena

Fig trees

Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.

Brambles

Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.

Maples

Prunus

Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.

Nightshades

Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.

Roses

Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.

Oaks

Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.

Ilex

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Key Facts About Ilex

Feedback

Attributes of Ilex

Plant Height

25 m

Spread

15 m

Leaf type

Evergreen

Ideal Temperature

10 - 35 ℃

Scientific Classification of Ilex

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Distribution of Ilex

Feedback

Distribution Map of Ilex

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

How to Grow and Care for Ilex

Feedback

How to Water Ilex?

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Ilex?

How to Propagate Ilex?

How to Plant Ilex?

More Info About Caring for Ilex

Exploring the Ilex Plants

Feedback

8 most common species：

Show More Species

All Species of Ilex

Common holly 'Ferox Argentea'

Dwarf pagoda Japanese holly

Common holly 'Madame Briot'

Common holly 'Handsworth New Silver'

Burford

Downy holly

Common holly 'Golden Queen'

Highclere holly

Japanese Holly 'Sky Pencil'

Holly 'Blue Princess'

Common holly 'Watereriana'

Common winterberry 'Red Sprite'

Japanese holly 'Brass Buckle'

Common holly 'Pyramidalis Fructu Luteo'

Holly 'Hodginsii'

Holly 'Belgica Aurea'

Japanese holly 'Golden Gem'

Holly 'Sunny Foster'

Rough-leaved holly

Bioritsu holly

Common holly 'Argentea Marginata'

Common winterberry 'Winter Gold'

Common holly 'J.C. van Tol'

Common holly 'Green Pillar'

Common holly 'Amber'

Common winterberry 'Wildfire'

Inkberry 'Shamrock'

Common holly 'Golden Milkboy'

Common holly 'Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata'

Common holly 'Silver Queen'

More Popular Genus

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