Oakleaf Holly

Oakleaf Holly - Fast Growing Evergreen Privacy Shrub | 12-15 Feet Tall, Individual Plants

Add bold evergreen structure and vibrant seasonal berries to your landscape with the Oakleaf Holly. This striking holly variety is known for its distinctive oak-shaped leaves, dense upright growth habit, and bright red berries that appear in fall and winter. As part of the popular Red Holly™ series, Oakleaf Holly combines beautiful foliage with strong durability, making it a reliable evergreen shrub for hedges, privacy screens, and foundation plantings.

Its glossy dark green leaves resemble the shape of oak tree foliage, giving the plant a unique texture compared to traditional hollies. In spring, small white flowers appear along the stems and are followed by bright red berries that stand out beautifully against the evergreen foliage. With its naturally pyramidal shape and dense branching, Oakleaf Holly creates a tall, attractive screen that provides year-round coverage and seasonal interest.

Why You'll Love the Oakleaf Holly

Unique Oak-Shaped Leaves: Distinctive foliage provides a bold texture and classic evergreen color in the landscape.

Bright Winter Berries: Produces vibrant red berries in fall and winter, adding seasonal color and attracting birds.

Fast Growing Privacy Plant: Growing 12 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide at maturity, it quickly creates a dense evergreen screen.

Strong And Durable Shrub: Highly tolerant of heat, humidity, and a variety of soil conditions once established.

Oakleaf Holly Details

Botanical Name: Ilex 'Conaf' (Oakleaf Red Holly™)
Type: Evergreen shrub
Mature Size: 144-180" tall × 96-120" wide (upright pyramidal habit)
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast growth rate
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained soil adaptable to various soil types
Water: Water regularly until established, moderate drought tolerance once mature
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Performs best in well-drained soil but adapts easily to sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Avoid consistently wet planting areas.

Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun for best berry production and dense growth but tolerates partial shade.

Hardiness: USDA zones 6-9, making it suitable for a wide range of temperate climates with strong heat tolerance.

Care Instructions

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, this shrub becomes moderately drought tolerant.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light shaping can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain desired size or form.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy foliage and strong berry production.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: Oakleaf Holly’s dense evergreen foliage and upright growth make it suitable for: privacy screens, hedges, foundation plantings, property borders, and winter interest gardens.

Privacy Screen Excellence: Its tall mature size and thick branching make it an excellent choice for creating natural evergreen privacy screens or windbreaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Oakleaf Holly? For hedges or screens, plant 6 to 8 feet apart on center to allow for mature spread.

Does Oakleaf Holly produce berries? Yes, this variety can produce bright red berries without a separate male pollinator in many landscapes.

Is Oakleaf Holly evergreen? Yes, it maintains its glossy green foliage year round, providing consistent structure and color in the landscape.