Ilex × attenuata
savannah holly
Overview
Ilex x attenuata, savannah holly, is a hybrid between I. opaca and I. cassine, grown as an evergreen tree or large shrub. It forms a narrow, conical to pyramidal crown 20–30 feet (6–9 m) tall and 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m) wide, with a single trunk and grey bark. The leaves are 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) long, leathery, glossy dark green, with a few small spiny teeth along the margins, fewer than on American holly. Small white flowers open in spring, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Female trees set round red berries 0.25–0.3 inch (6–8 mm) across that ripen in autumn and hold through winter. A male holly growing nearby is needed for the female to fruit, so a lone female bears few or no berries. The plant grows in sun to part shade and tolerates moist to occasionally wet soils. It is used across the warm southeastern United States.
Native Range
Ilex x attenuata arises where the ranges of I. opaca and I. cassine overlap in the southeastern United States. It occurs naturally in the coastal plain from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas, in moist woods and along swamp margins.Suggested Uses
Used as a screen, a street or specimen tree, and in foundation and boundary plantings. The berries feed birds through winter. Spaced 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) apart for a screen, or wider as single specimens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread8' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years
Bloom Information
Small white flowers open in spring, from April to May, clustered along the stems. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants, and bees carry the pollen between them. Female trees develop red berries through summer that ripen in autumn and persist into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, tolerating a soil pH from 5.0 to 6.5 and brief flooding. Water needs are medium, with even moisture during establishment, after which it tolerates short dry spells. Hardy in USDA zones 6–9, it withstands winter cold across the southeastern states. A male pollinator nearby is needed for berry set on female trees. The dense evergreen canopy casts shade that limits planting directly beneath. Chlorosis can appear on alkaline soils where iron becomes unavailable.Pruning
Light shaping is done in late winter to maintain the conical form. Dead or crossing branches are removed at the same time. The plant tolerates shearing for a formal outline or a screen.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter