'Nellie R. Stevens’ holly is a woody, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is a hybrid cultivar of I. aquifolium and I. cornuta , quickly matures to a height of 15 to 30 feet and a width of 8 to 25 feet and is a heavy producer of bright red berries. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ does well in full sun to partial shade, preferably with some protection from afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It needs rich, acidic, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types including heavy clay. It is best to avoid wet sites. It tolerates drought and heat better than many other hollies. Its conical to pyramidal form allows it to be trained into a small tree, if the lower branches are removed. Prune to shape in the winter. Hollies are dioecious plants, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Typically, for the female plant to bear fruit, both male and female plants that bloom at the same time must be present. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is a female plant, yet it produces some fruits without a male pollinizer. However, Ilex cornuta and 'Edward J. Stevens' are male hollies that are good pollinizers. The small flowers that appear in spring are attractive to bees and other pollinators. Use this plant as a specimen or take advantage of its dense, prickly foliage for use as a barrier, hedge, or screen planting. It is excellent in a woodland garden or as part of a foundation planting. The showy red fruits add color high in the back of a border. A heavy display of showy red berries makes for great winter interest in any garden. Quick ID Hints: Bullate leaves with 1 to 3 spines along each margin. Leaves consistently vary in number of spines. Abundant red fruits. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests that can be a problem include holly leafminer, scale, spider mites, and whiteflies. Disease problems include leaf spot and powdery mildew. Under alkaline soils, chlorosis can occur. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Ilex .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
The leaves are glossy, deep green on the upper surface, light green on the undersides, measure 2 to 4 inches long, and are attractive year-round. The leaves are alternate, simple, bullate, elliptic to oblong, and have 1-2 spines on each side. They have a terminal spine at the apex and often vary in the number of spines they have.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are small, greenish-white, and inconspicuous. Pollinators such as honeybees and bumblebees enjoy the blooms in the spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are abundant, bright, red, globose berries that measure about 1/3 inch in diameter. They ripen in the fall and persist into winter. This plant can produce some fruit without fertilization from a male pollinator plant.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Cultivated by Nellie R. Stevens of Oxford, MD in the 1900s.broa
Wildlife value
Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Pollinators; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Security; Small Tree; Specimen