Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

16 other cultivars

shrub

Mary Nell Holly

Ilex x hybrida 'Mary Nell'

The Story

Plant Bio

Ilex × hybrida encompasses a group of evergreen shrubs and small trees derived from crosses between various Asiatic holly species. They form dense, upright crowns with stiff, spiny leaves and produce small spring flowers followed by berry-like red drupes on female plants.

'Mary Nell' is a formal, pyramidal cultivar originating from a three-way cross between Ilex cornuta, Ilex pernyi, and Ilex latifolia that reaches 10 to 25 feet in height. It features exceptionally glossy dark blue-green foliage with sharp marginal spines and yields heavy annual crops of bright red winter berries.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense pyramidal growth habit with mirror-like dark green leaves and brilliant persistent red berries.

Functions as a robust, spiny living security barrier and evergreen windbreak.

Provides critical shelter and winter food source for native songbirds and migratory birds.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

300"

Width

180"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Bred in Semmes, Alabama (USA)

Toxicity

Mildly toxic if ingested; spiny leaves cause skin irritation

Bloom period

Spring – Late spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting location in full sun to light shade with well-drained, acidic soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal in depth, ensuring the root flare rests level with the surrounding grade.
Backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle air pockets, and apply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone without touching the trunk.
Water regularly during the first growing season until the root system becomes established.

Pro Tip

Plant in full sun to maximize foliage sheen and maintain dense branching down to the ground, and supply annual fertilizer in spring to sustain its heavy crop of berries.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Test soil pH to ensure acidic to slightly acidic conditions between 5.0 and 6.5.
Prune lightly in late winter before spring growth begins to shape hedges or screens.
Apply annual spring fertilizer to maintain foliage color during heavy fruit set.

Don't

Do not plant in alkaline soils, which cause leaf yellowing and nutrient deficiency.
Do not allow soil to remain waterlogged or sit in standing water.
Do not cut back into old leafless wood when pruning, as bare wood recovers poorly.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Privacy ScreenFormal HedgeSpecimen PlantingWindbreak

Companion Plants

Rhododendron catawbiense Magnolia grandiflora Buxus microphylla Heuchera americana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mary Nell Holly questions

What zones can Mary Nell Holly grow in?

Mary Nell Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Mary Nell Holly deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Mary Nell Holly, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Mary Nell Holly bloom?

Mary Nell Holly typically blooms in spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Mary Nell Holly need full sun?

Mary Nell Holly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Mary Nell Holly drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Mary Nell Holly handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.