Longstalk holly is a woody perennial native to Asia where it is often found in the mountains of Japan and the woodlands, thickets, and margins of woods on mountains in China. It is a member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). The species epithet, meaning “long peduncle,” highlights the long fruit stalk. This holly prefers moist soil but is tolerant of most soils except poorly drained ones and can be grown in full to partial sun. It is drought-tolerant once established. The plant does not tolerate transplanting, especially as the plant gets older, so it is best to place the plant in its permanent position with some winter protection for the first year or two. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood. Prune in the late winter to control its size if needed. Longstalk holly is a very hardy evergreen with red berries, small, pleasantly scented flowers, and showy foliage that is spineless and much like mountain laurel. The fruits are relished by birds. The plant can be pruned as a dense broad shrub or left to grow as a small tree. It is one of the most cold-hardy hollies and does well in the northern and western mountains of North Carolina. The plant is dioecious (meaning individual plants are either male or female). It is pollinated by bees. For females to bear fruit, a male pollinator is needed within 200 feet. A rule of thumb is to provide one male for every three females to ensure that good pollination will take place. Longstalk Holly was voted Holly of the Year for 2013 by the Holly Society of America. The fruit and evergreen leaves make for winter interest in the landscape. It is a good choice for a privacy screen or specimen, it can be used in small groups, or as a foundation plant. Use the longstalk holly in an Asian, winter, or pollinator garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease 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.
Fills a similar nicheCercis chingiiIlex cornuta 'Carissa'Ilex x meserveae
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Multi-trunked; Pyramidal; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth; Waxy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple, 1 to 3 inch dark green leaves; may develop a yellowish-green cast in harsh winter. Narrow, entire (untoothed), pear-like shape.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Inconspicuous female flowers are white, usually solitary on current season's growth. Male flowers are in clusters.
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
Bright red 1/4 inch fruit on 1 to 2 inch stalks in fall and winter.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth gray bark becoming finely flakey with size.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Slender, glabrous, somewhat flattened.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China, Central & South Japan
Wildlife value
Berries are eaten by birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Buffer; Wildlife Food Source; Wind Break
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Use caution. Berries are slightly toxic to humans if eaten in quantity.
Uses (ethnobotany)
A dark red dye is obtained from the leaves. The wood is white and beautifully veined.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Small groups; Specimen