Hollies
Mary Nell Holly (Bush Form)
Ilex ‘Mary Nell’ is a hybrid evergreen holly developed by the Tom Dodd Nursery in Alabama from three Asian species: I. cornuta, I. pernyi and I. latifolia. It is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae).
It grows well in partial shade, but foliage quality and fruiting will be best in full sun. 'Mary Nell' does well in almost any soil, but prefers well-drained, moist soil. It is winter hardy throughout the Coastal and Piedmont regions of the Southeast; however, it may suffer damage in severe mountain winters. Like most evergreen hollies, 'Mary Nell' is easily propagated from hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings rooted under mist.
From its three parents, 'Mary Nell' inherits tough landscape adaptability in the Southeast, beautiful large, exceptionally glossy, dark blue-green leaves, a dense, pyramidal to columnar shape, and the tendency to produce prodigious quantities of bright red fruit. This mix of inherited characters translates into a plant with the striking foliage qualities of I. latifolia plus the elegant and refined habit of I. pernyi, the cast-iron landscape performance of I. cornuta, and the fruitfulness of a vigorous hybrid—an unbeatable combination of desirable characteristics. Given these traits, 'Mary Nell' may well outpace 'Nellie R. Stevens' as a top evergreen holly hybrid for Southeastern gardens.
'Mary Nell' matures at 20 to 25 feet in height with a moderately formal pyramidal shape and very dense foliage. 'Mary Nell' is most often used as a hedge, foundation plant, or as a specimen plant. It is appropriate for winter, formal English, or Asian gardens.
Example of Sizes
