The Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens') is a popular evergreen shrub known for its attractive foliage, dense growth habit, and striking red berries. This versatile and low-maintenance plant can be used for a variety of purposes, including hedging, screening, or as a specimen plant in the landscape.
Nellie Stevens Holly is a hybrid plant, a result of crossing the English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and the Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta). This fast-growing evergreen shrub can reach heights of 15 to 25 feet and a spread of 10 to 15 feet, making it an ideal choice for creating privacy screens or windbreaks. The plant is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9 and thrives in a variety of soil types, as long as they are well-draining. The Nellie Stevens Holly is also drought-tolerant once established and can tolerate occasional salt spray, making it a suitable option for coastal landscapes.
The Nellie Stevens Holly is prized for its attractive, glossy, dark green foliage that provides year-round interest in the garden. The leaves are characterized by their leathery texture, spiny margins, and an elongated, oval shape. The dense growth habit of the Nellie Stevens Holly not only creates an effective privacy screen but also provides valuable shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
One of the standout features of the Nellie Stevens Holly is the vibrant red berries, or drupes, that it produces. These berries appear in the fall and persist through the winter, providing a striking contrast to the dark green foliage and adding a touch of seasonal color to the landscape. The berries also serve as an important food source for various bird species during the colder months. It should be noted that, while Nellie Stevens Holly is capable of producing berries on its own, planting a male holly nearby, such as the Ilex 'Edward J. Stevens,' can help increase fruit production.
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