Nellie Stevens Holly

Ilex cornuta X  I.  aquifolium ‘Nellie R. Stevens’

EYE-lex corn-ooh-tah, ah-qua-FOAL-ee-um

Aquifoliaceae

Explanation of name:  For the generic name,. see I. cassine.  Cornuta means “horned,” and aquifolium means “wet leaved.”  The capical X indicates a hybrid between the two species.

Natural range: This is a hybrid between two Old World hollies

Recognition:  As with many hybrids, the plant is variable, with extremely dark leaf blades more or less entire to irregularly toothed (vs. seldom toothed in ‘Burfordii’).  Pyramid-shaped or oval in outline. Berries red. 

This I. cornuta hybrid and another I. cornuta cultivar, ‘Burfordii’, are similar in appearance and in use.  ‘Nellie Stevens’ is a newer selection; it tends to be a more oval or pyramidal (vs. being vase-shaped), is easier to prune to a single leader, and is more likey to have pronounced teeth on the leaves.

Landscape uses:  This hybrid is sometimes used in subtropical settings for a thick, dense, columnar holly. Fast-growing.  Strong fruiting requires a male (Ilex cornuta may be used according to USST313).