{"product_id":"ilex-opaca-american-holly","title":"Ilex opaca (American Holly)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe classic native holiday holly, American holly pairs genuine drought tolerance with reliable winter fruit display on female trees - a slow-growing, long-lived evergreen specimen tree that also serves as a larval host for several butterfly species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmerican holly is a broadleaf evergreen tree native to the eastern United States, often reaching 30 to 50 feet tall. It is prized for its spiny, dark green leaves and bright red berries that persist through winter, making it a holiday favorite. This iconic tree is drought-tolerant and a vital food source for birds and small mammals during colder months.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecimen and screening plantings prioritizing year-round evergreen structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWildlife habitat plantings - berries are a vital winter food source for birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstory and woodland-edge restoration, protected from high wind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarval host habitat for butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions \/ Specification Data\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Part Shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\/Moisture Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well-drained, acidic soils; protect from high wind exposure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low - The Morton Arboretum and other sources describe this species as intolerant of drought and poor drainage, preferring consistently moist, well-drained soil; Florida Native Plant Society notes it can withstand some drought once established, but overall consensus leans moisture-preferring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlood Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low - An adaptable species found from upland to moist woodland sites, but not a wetland obligate; not documented as flood tolerant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25-50 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\/None - evergreen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color \/ Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e White; May-June\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWetland Indicator Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e NI (No Indicator) - see flags\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydrology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mesic-Moist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep (24-36 in.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes (Rarely Damaged)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright - pyramidal to columnar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5-9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports butterflies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eDioecious - only female trees produce berries, and only when a male tree is close enough for pollination.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pinelands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"32 Cell Tubeling","offer_id":48941170851911,"sku":"ILE-OPA 32TBL","price":112.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#2 Container","offer_id":48941170884679,"sku":"ILE-OPA #2","price":21.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#7 Container","offer_id":48941170917447,"sku":"ILE-OPA #7","price":78.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1649\/7991\/files\/Ilexopaca2C.jpg?v=1791835667","url":"https:\/\/www.pinelandsnursery.com\/products\/ilex-opaca-american-holly","provider":"Pinelands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}