small trees and shrubs like Dahoon [Ilex cassine], Ink- 
berry [Ilex glabra], and Yaupon [Ilex vomitoria] are quite 
informal in growth habit yet highly pleasing for general 
enclosure and background plantings because of their finer 
textured foliage and abundant fruiting habits. Such 
plantings can be made more interesting, also, by the use 
of some of the deciduous varieties like Common Winter- 
berry [Ilex verticillata] or its near relative [Ilex laevigata] 
which have good, clean, vigorous foliage even during 
the hot, dry spells of summer. 
In recent years more and more hollies have been used 
in foundation plantings, of in groups relatively near 
houses. The larger and taller growing sorts should be 
used sparingly in such locations, if at all, and in general 
it is wiser to select the lower and slower growing sorts 
for such places. The many varieties of the Japanese holly 
[Ilex crenata] are much more suitable for such a use not 
only because they are slower and lower growing but 
they have a smaller scaled foliage. They can be used with 
other material such as azaleas, rhododendron and yew 
for variety and interest. Ilex crenata clone microphylla 
is a particularly small-leaved sort, Ilex crenata clone 
rotundifolia is another good variety, and Ilex crenata 
clone convexa [Bullata] has recurved and shiny foliage 
much like box, for which it is often substituted, particu- 
larly in northern gardens. Ilex crenata helleri is extremely 
low growing and compact, making small mounds of dense 
foliage most useful for blending a taller planting in with 
the lawn. This plant can be used as a ground cover. 
Whereas most hollies naturally thrive best in climatic 
zones 5 and 6, the extreme range is much further north 
and south. American holly [Ilex opaca] is native to Long 
Island, New York and has been found in southern Con- 
necticut. It can be grown even further north if given 
adequate protection. The same is probably true of Ilex 
cornuta and aquifolia hybrids although accurate records 
are not available. The Japanese varieties [Ilex crenata] 
are all very much more hardy, as are Ilex glabra and the 
deciduous Ilex verticillata. 
Like most broadleaved evergreens, hollies prefer an 
acid soil. Many will thrive in full sun, but most seem to 
do best in light shade. All require an ample supply of 
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