Needlepoint Holly

Needlepoint Holly is a dense evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves and a naturally upright form. Small white spring flowers may be followed by bright red berries when a compatible male holly is nearby, giving screens and foundation beds welcome winter color. It handles Southern heat well once established and can be pruned as a hedge or allowed to grow as a large accent. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Ilex cornuta 'Needlepoint'
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• USDA zones: 7-9
• Mature size: About 10-15 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide
• Foliage: Glossy dark green evergreen leaves with a single pointed tip
• Flowers and ornamental feature: Small white spring flowers and red berries on pollinated female plants
• Bloom season: Spring, with berries coloring in fall and often holding into winter
• Water: Moderate while establishing; provide well-drained soil and deep water during extended dry periods
• Growth habit: Dense, upright shrub
• Landscape uses: Privacy screens, hedges, foundation beds, large accents, and wildlife gardens
• Deer tolerance: Not reliably deer resistant, so protect young plants where browsing is common

South Carolina garden note: Needlepoint Holly is well suited to Zone 8b. Give it room to mature and use a compatible male holly nearby if berry production is important.

Plant size and performance vary with climate, soil, pruning, and care.