Ilex x 'Carolina Sentinel' (Carolina Sentinel Holly)

Carolina Sentinel Holly (Ilex x 'Carolina Sentinel')

Height, Spread: 8-20 ft, 4-6 ft

Water/Soil: Moist-wet, well-drained, clay, loam, sand, high organic matter, acidic-neutral

Light: Full sun-part shade

Bloom: Spring, small white flowers

Native Range: North America (I. verticillata) and East Asia (I. serrata)

Qualities: Wildlife resource, Attractive to pollinators

Notes: A hybrid of North American I. verticillata and East Asian I. serrata. It is known for narrow upright growth. Like other Ilex species, it is dioecious meaning you need a male and a female plant to get fruit. It is attractive to pollinators and its fruit is attractive to birds. Like other members of its genus, it supports specialized native bee Colletes banksi. An evergreen small tree or shrub it is best used in hedgerows or as an accent shrub in a garden.