'Scepter' holly is a rapidly growing, evergreen tree, pyramidal in form, with a compact structure that it maintains without pruning. It is the result of a controlled cross of I. integra and I. × altaclerensis 'Hodginsii' made in 1960 by W. F. Kosar at the U.S. National Arboretum. In 1993, Gene Eisenbeiss named and registered the final selection, which was released to the trade. In 2009, it was named the Holly of the Year by the Holly Society of America. It is a female cultivar and a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). Plant in the full sun to partial shade in acidic well-drained soil though it tolerates a wide range of soil types, from moist to dry, including clay. The species is dioecious (meaning plants are either female or male). It is pollinated by bees and is not self-fertile. A pollinizer is required. 'Scepter' grows quickly and can reach a height of 20 feet and a width of 14 feet at maturity (about fifteen years). Its oval, dark green, nearly spineless leaves can be as large as 3 inches long and 1½ inches wide. 'Scepter' bears bright red berries in profuse clusters of two to ten; however, the plant requires a suitable male pollinizer in the vicinity. Male plants of I. × altaclerensis , I. cornuta , I. latifolia , I. × meserveae , I. integra , I. pernyi , and I. rugosa as well as hybrids of these species will work as pollinizers. It is suitable for a formal English garden, a pollinator garden or a winter garden. Select this cultivar as an accent or specimen, or use it in dense borders, screens or foundation plantings. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites and nematodes are occasional pests. Alkaline soils will cause the leaves to yellow. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. 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.
Fills a similar nicheIlex x attenuata Foster Hybrid GroupIlex x koehneana 'Martha Berry'Ilex x meserveae
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 16 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth; Waxy
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leathery, glossy, dark green leaves are oval and nearly spineless.
Flower color
White
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small (1/4 inch), dull, greenish white fragrant flowers in spring that form in clusters of 1 to 3.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Bright red fruits in clusters of two to ten; they persist into winter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States
Distribution
Eastern United States from Georgia north to Massachusetts.
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
Buffer; Sound; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Lawn; Patio; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
English Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Small groups; Specimen