Sharum's Shamrock™ holly is a cross between an unnamed Ilex species and Ilex Oakleaf™ 'Conaf'. Sharum's Shamrock™ is a female cultivar that was selected as part of a holly breeding program in Mississippi. It is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). Grow in full sun or very light shade. This holly will withstand sheering well and is resistant to insect and disease problems as well as deer browsing. This Holly has a broad pyramidal shape with coarse, deep green foliage. At maturity, it will reach a height of 8 feet tall and a width of 6 feet. When a male pollinizer is present, the plant will produce red fruits in winter. This cultivar is excellent as a hedge or screen. It is suitable for foundation planting in a winter garden or a pollinator garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. 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.
Often confused withIlex opaca 'Clarendon Spreading'
Fills a similar nicheCamellia japonica 'White by the Gate'Ilex cornuta 'Carissa'Liriope muscari 'Silvery Sunproof'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; 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
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Oval; Pyramidal
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Prickly
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy, deep green leaves with spiny margins, somewhat coarse in texture.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small greenish white flowers in clusters in the leaf axils in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit value
Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The red fruits persist into winter.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States
Wildlife value
Fruits are attractive to birds. Flowers attract bees. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Screening
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Use caution. Human consumption of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.