Holly bushes come in many different shapes, sizes, and varieties With nearly 500 species worldwide, it can be tricky to identify the exact type of holly bush from a picture alone In this complete visual guide, we’ll walk through photos of the most popular holly bushes to help you recognize each one.
American Holly
The American Holly (Ilex opaca) is one of the most iconic Christmas hollies. It has spiny, deep green leaves and produces bright red berries.
![American Holly bush with red berries][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
The American Holly can grow over 60 feet tall in the wild, but is often seen around 25-40 feet tall in landscapes. It thrives in acidic, moist soil and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
English Holly
English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is another classic Christmas holly known for its glossy foliage and red berries. Its leaves are a bit shinier than the American Holly.![English Holly bush][]
Photo Credit Gardening Know How
English Holly grows 10-40 feet tall and does best in slightly acidic soil. It prefers partial shade and tolerates clay soil well. Hardiness ranges from zones 6-8.
Inkberry Holly
Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) is an evergreen variety perfect for winter gardens. It produces black berries and has dark green elliptical leaves.![Inkberry Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
This compact shrub grows just 6-10 feet tall. It thrives in moist, acidic soil and is hardy down to zone 5. Inkberry works nicely in woodland settings.
Winterberry Holly
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) lights up the winter landscape with its bright red berries. This deciduous variety drops its leaves in autumn to reveal the fruit. ![Winterberry Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Winterberry Holly reaches 3-15 feet tall and grows in zones 3-9. It requires a male pollinator to produce the vibrant berries. Rich, moist soil is ideal.
Blue Holly
Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae) adds year-round color with its purple stems and blue-tinged leaves. Blue Princess is a popular female cultivar.![Blue Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
This broadleaf evergreen grows up to 15 feet tall. Blue hollies thrive in zones 5-8 and appreciate moist, acidic soil. Plant Blue Princess near Blue Prince for red berries.
Dwarf Chinese Holly
Dwarf Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Rotunda’) is a rounded shrub perfect for foundations and borders. It has small, spiny leaves and black berries.![Dwarf Chinese Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Dwarf Chinese Holly reaches just 2-4 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. It tolerates drought, pollution, and a variety of soils. Zones 6-9 are recommended.
Japanese Holly
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) is an evergreen shrub with small, boxwood-like foliage. Popular cultivars include ‘Sky Pencil’ and ‘Soft Touch.’ ![Japanese Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Japanese Holly grows slowly to 5-10 feet tall and wide. It does best in organically rich, acidic soil and appreciates some afternoon shade in hot zones (5-8).
Yaupon Holly
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States. It has smooth, oval leaves and red berries.![Yaupon Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Yaupon Holly can reach 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, but compact cultivars are available. It tolerates drought, salt, and clay soil. Zones 7-10 are recommended.
Possumhaw Holly
Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua) is a deciduous shrub known for its bright red berries and brilliant fall color. Plants reach 10 feet tall and wide.![Possumhaw Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Possumhaw thrives in zones 5-9. It appreciates moist, acidic soil but adapts to varying conditions. Fruit production requires a male pollinator.
Meserve Hybrids
Meserve Hybrid Hollies result from crossing Chinese Hedges with English Holly. Cultivars like ‘Blue Princess’ are densely branched evergreens.![Meserve Hybrid Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Meserve Hybrids grow 10-15 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and enrich the winter landscape with red berries.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Nellie R. Stevens Holly (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’) is a popular upright cultivar that makes a nice hedge or screen. It has glossy green leaves.![Nellie R. Stevens Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
This fast-growing hybrid reaches 15-25 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. It tolerates heat, drought, pollution, and salts. Zones 6-9 recommended.
Foster’s Holly
Foster’s Holly (Ilex x attenuata ‘Fosteri’) is prized for its extra large, glossy green leaves. It makes a striking specimen plant.![Foster’s Holly bush][]
Photo Credit: Gardening Know How
Foster’s Holly can reach heights up to 25 feet tall and widths around 15 feet wide. It grows in zones 6-9 and produces red berries when pollinated.
There are so many gorgeous holly bushes to choose from! This visual guide covers some of the most popular varieties for American gardens. Use it as a reference to identify holly bushes in your own landscape. With lush greenery, brilliant berries, and striking silhouettes, hollies make excellent additions to any yard.
All About Holly Bushes | Ask This Old House
FAQ
Where is the best place to plant a holly bush?
How big do holly bushes get?
How do I identify a holly plant?
Do holly bushes prefer sun or shade?
Are holly bushes evergreen?
The holly plant is a part of the Ilex genus, which consists of roughly 480 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, trees, and climbing lianas. The English holly and the American holly are the most common types of holly bushes used in holiday décor, though there are countless other options available.
How tall do holly bushes get?
They typically reach a height of between 10 and 40 feet. Like the American holly, the English holly has spines on the edges of their deep, shiny green leaves. All-female varieties produce fragrant white flowers in early summertime, which develop into bright berries in white, yellow, orange, or red colors. Though, red is the most common.
What are the different types of holly bushes?
The English holly and the American holly are the most common types of holly bushes used in holiday décor, though there are countless other options available. With so many types of hollies to choose from, there is sure to be one, or many, that will meet your landscape needs. Do You Need Landscaping Services?
Is a holly tree a shrub or a tree?
It is mainly categorized as a shrub or a dwarf tree, with a height of 15 to 35 feet. English Holly Tree spread reaches around 15 feet, while the spiky leaves and red berries add to its charm. It’s considered an evergreen plant that prefers full sun for better growth. 3. Chinese Holly Tree
Can holly bushes be used as trees?
Hollies can serve as foundation shrubs for the front of your house, or you can shape them into trees instead. The popular types of holly bushes below include the Japanese, Chinese, American, English, yaupon, blue, and winterberry categories, each of which have their own cultivars, recommended hardiness zones, and best uses within a home landscape.
What do Japanese holly bushes look like?
Due to their small, spineless leaves and (usually) black berries, Japanese holly bushes don’t look like typical hollies and may be mistaken for boxwood shrubs. The ‘Drops of Gold’ cultivar grows up to 4 feet tall and wide with yellow variegated leaves; that variegation is brightest in full sun.