Foster's holly

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; the densest growth and heaviest berry display usually occur in full sun.

Water

Moderate; water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Established trees tolerate some drought but grow better with even moisture.

Soil

Moist, well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Avoid waterlogged ground and strongly alkaline soil, which can cause yellow leaves.

Height

20-30 ft (6-9 m)

Spread

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m)

Flowers

Small, inconspicuous white flowers in spring.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, dark green, narrow oval leaves with a few small spines along the margins.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.8 m)

5. After 5 years

   11 ft (3.4 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root flare at soil level and allow room for the mature canopy.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons whenever the root zone begins to dry.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it away from the trunk.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a need.
• In colder areas, choose a site sheltered from drying winter winds.

Pruning. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead, damaged or crossing branches and preserve a strong main leader. Shorten wayward shoots rather than routinely shearing; heavy pruning reduces the following berry display.

Late winter

Remove damaged or crossing branches and make any necessary shaping cuts.

Spring

Plant where winters are cold; refresh mulch and check soil moisture as new growth starts.

Late spring

Inspect leaves and stems for scale insects and leaf-miner damage.

Summer

Water young trees deeply during dry weather, wetting the whole root zone.

Autumn

Plant in mild-winter areas and water established trees if autumn is unusually dry.

Winter

Check young trees for wind damage and gently brush off heavy, loose snow before branches bend.

• Plant as a tall evergreen screen along a boundary, leaving enough width for its mature branches.
• Use a single tree as a pyramidal focal point in a lawn or large mixed border.
• Frame an entrance with a pair planted well clear of paths and buildings.
• Combine with camellias, azaleas and shade-tolerant perennials for year-round structure in acidic soil.

Garden styles it suits: Traditional, Formal, Southern, Grand estate, Woodland and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Camellia, Azalea, Oakleaf hydrangea, Japanese pieris, Christmas fern and Lenten rose.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects. Birds eat the berries, often later in winter, and the evergreen canopy provides shelter and nesting cover.

• Scale insects: inspect stems and leaf undersides; treat small infestations with horticultural oil according to the label, avoiding hot weather.
• Holly leaf miner: remove badly affected fallen leaves and tolerate light damage; seek locally appropriate treatment only if damage is persistent and severe.
• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, keep the root flare exposed and avoid frequent shallow watering.
• Winter scorch: shelter trees from drying winds, mulch the root zone and water during dry autumn weather before the ground freezes.

Berries and leaves are toxic if eaten by people, cats or dogs, usually causing nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea; larger amounts can cause more serious illness. Keep horses from browsing it as well, since hollies can be toxic to horses. The leaf spines can scratch skin.

• American holly (Ilex opaca)

  Usually has broader, less glossy leaves with more prominent spines and develops into a much larger tree.

• Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine)

  Has mostly smooth-edged leaves, sometimes with a few teeth near the tip, rather than Foster's more noticeably spiny margins.

• East Palatka holly (Ilex × attenuata 'East Palatka')

  Usually has broader, rounder leaves with a single terminal spine; Foster's leaves are narrower and generally have several marginal spines.

Ilex is the Latin name for the holm oak, whose evergreen leaves resemble those of some hollies.

Propagation. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer under humid conditions; rooting can be slow. Seed-grown plants will not reliably match the named cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Ilex attenuata

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.