Ilex opaca 'Merry Christmas'
Merry Christmas American Holly
Ilex opaca ‘Merry Christmas’ is an evergreen holly valued for its glossy dark green foliage, dense branching, and abundant bright red berries on female plants when pollinated. This American holly has classic spiny leaves and a symmetrical pyramidal habit that provides strong year-round structure. The heavy berry display creates especially vivid winter color.
Type: Evergreen shrub
Mature Size: Width: 8–10 ft · Height: 15–20 ft
USDA Zones: 5a–9b
Form: Dense, pyramidal
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Water: Medium; prefers regular moisture during establishment
Wildlife: Berries attract birds
Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for screening, specimen planting, native evergreen borders, and large foundation plantings where strong winter berry display and classic evergreen form are desired. It is especially striking in winter landscapes.
Care:
Plant in well-drained acidic soil and avoid prolonged drought during establishment. Prune in late winter or early spring if shaping is needed. A male American holly nearby improves berry production.
- Plant type
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Height
- 15-20'
- Width
- 8-10'
- Hardiness zones
- 5–9
- Sunlight
- Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom time
- Does not flower, Late Spring
- Flower color
- White
- Leaf color
- Green
- Fall color
- Dark Green
- Fruit color
- Brown
- Soil
- Acidic, Moist well-drained
- Landscape use
- Foundation
- Shape
- Dense, Pyramidal
- Bark
- Smooth
- Fruit
- Yes
- Deer resistant
- Yes
- Salt tolerant
- Yes
- Drought tolerant
- No