Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is a hybrid holly highly valued for its combination of hardiness, ornamental beauty, and easy maintenance. This evergreen shrub develops an elegant, well-defined pyramidal or conical shape, making it ideal as a solitary plant or for dense hedges and screens.

The leaves are thick, leathery, with a deep glossy green color, and have rounded spiny edges that protect the plant while giving it a decorative and structured appearance.

In spring, the shrub produces small, inconspicuous yet fragrant white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. However, it is the subsequent production of bright, abundant red berries that makes Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ particularly decorative. The berries appear only on female plants and persist until the end of winter.

This hybrid holly is highly resilient to challenging environmental conditions: it tolerates cold well, down to about -20°C, and adapts to various soil types as long as they are well-drained. It is also resistant to urban pollution, moderate drought, and strong winds, making it perfect for use in urban settings or exposed gardens.

The growth is moderate, and the plant can easily reach heights of 4-6 meters, with a compact and tidy canopy. Pruning can be done to shape the form or maintain the desired size, but it is not essential.

Thanks to these characteristics, Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is widely used in parks, private gardens, decorative hedges, and borders, with a highly appreciated aesthetic effect.

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