Greg Grant

When it comes to versatile, low-maintenance plants that provide year-round beauty, hollies stand out as a quintessential choice for Southern gardens. These evergreen shrubs and trees offer glossy foliage, bright berries, and adaptability, making them a reliable addition to landscapes across East Texas and beyond.

Hollies belong to the genus Ilex, a diverse group of over 500 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees. From native varieties to exotic imports, hollies have found a permanent place in Southern landscapes. They can be used for hedges, privacy screens, foundation plantings, or as striking specimen plants. Their year-round beauty is complemented by their resilience and ecological benefits.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, hollies provide essential benefits to wildlife. Their dense evergreen foliage offers shelter, while their vibrant berries are an important winter food source for birds. Hollies are also relatively low-maintenance, thriving in East Texas’s acidic soils with minimal care. Once established, they tolerate drought, resist pests, and adapt well to sun or partial shade.

All hollies are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) so only the females produce showy berries that attract birds such as cedar waxwings and bluebirds. Luckily most garden clones are females. Here are some proven performers to consider:

American Holly (Ilex opaca): An East Texas native classic, this stately tree grows up to 40 feet tall, featuring rich green foliage and striking red berries on the females. American holly is ideal as a specimen tree or for creating a natural privacy screen. Unfortunately, they are rarely available commercially and should be cherished if they exist on your property or in your landscape.

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria): This Texas native workhorse thrives in both sun and shade, making it incredibly versatile. Smaller cultivars like ‘Schillings’ and ‘Bordeaux’ are perfect for compact spaces and boxed hedges, while the weeping ‘Pendula’ makes a stunning focal point. Standard small tree types such as ‘Pride of Houston’ produce outstanding Texas-tough specimens or hedges.

Possumhaw (Ilex decidua): A deciduous native Texas holly that sheds its leaves in winter, revealing dazzling clusters of red berries. It thrives in naturalistic settings and provides a brilliant pop of winter color, attracting birds to your garden.

Hybrid Holly (Ilex × attenuata): This hybrid between American holly (Ilex opaca) and dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) is prized for its upright growth and heavy berry production. Larger leafed cultivars like ‘Savannah’ look more like American holly while smaller leafed cultivars like ‘Fosteri’ look more like their dahoon parent. All are favorites for their elegance and showy fruit. These native hybrid hollies are excellent choices for smaller landscapes or as specimen small trees.

Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta): Known for its large, spiny leaves and abundant berries, Chinese holly is a bold, low-maintenance option. Selections range from small shrubs to small trees and include, dwarf Burford, dwarf Chinese, Carissa, willow leaf, and Burford. The popular ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is a purported hybrid between Chinese holly and English holly and makes an outstanding large hedge or small, evergreen tree.

With their glossy leaves, cheerful berries, and remarkable hardiness, hollies are a cornerstone of Southern gardening. Whether you’re creating a hedge, adding a wildlife-friendly specimen, or enjoying their festive winter display, hollies bring beauty and resilience to any landscape.