American Holly
Ilexopaca 'Merry Christmas'

Family: Aquifoliaceae (a-kwee-foh-lee-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Ilex (EYE-leks)
Species: opaca (oh-PAK-uh)
Cultivar: Merry Christmas

Category

Trees

Water Requirements

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage

Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Provides Winter Interest

Foliage Color

Unknown

Height

30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
over 40 ft. (12 m)

Spacing

15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)

Hardiness

USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Where to Grow

Unknown

Danger

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Bloom Color

White/Near White
Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Characteristics

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Unknown

Bloom Time

Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Unknown

Soil pH requirements

5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information

Non-patented

Propagation Methods

From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
By grafting

Seed Collecting

N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed