American Holly

Ilex opaca

American holly in winter is one of the most striking sights in the eastern landscape. glossy dark green foliage loaded with clusters of bright red berries against a gray December sky. Robins, bluebirds, and cedar waxwings move through in waves, stripping the berries during cold snaps. The birds that find your holly tree will come back for it every winter for as long as the tree stands. Dense, pyramidal form and year-round evergreen foliage make American holly one of the best native trees for privacy screening. Small white flowers in spring are visited by native bees and produce the berry crop that follows. Plant a male and at least one female. berry production requires cross-pollination. The patience it asks for in its first years returns lifetimes of winter interest.