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A very old f. xanthocarpa
Rehder seedling at the Raulston Arboretum
(formly North Carolina State University Arboretum) and
dating from the 50's perhaps. It is over 25 feet tall in
2002. Some of the plants here are traceable to Jesse Rankin who found many yellow-fruited clones over the years. Over 50 gold-berried clones have been found in the wild and about half are from Rankin's work. This plant here may be the one shown on a very old map of the garden under the dubious name 'Rankinii'. Galle in his masteripiece says the clone 'Longwash' is known from the Arboretum. The plant here was only labeled as to the botanical form. As so many of the plants from the original holly collecton are now gone, it would be only a wild assumption to connect them now. Click on this image for a larger version. LCH |
'William Hawkins' is
by far the strangest of the wierd, leaf-form cultivars in
this species. One is apt to place it with Ilex cornuta or
even as one of the Japanese clones of Osmanthus (which of
course have opposite leaves). Not only is iy an attractive item for collections, it makes a very serviceabe landscape plant where the species does well. It has been used creatively for bonsai too. It originated as a witches broom so it tends to be smaller, thicker than many cultivars though it is by no means a dwarf. Out the species amazing one thousand named clones this is one that really stands out. Click on this image for a larger version. LCH |
INTRODUCTION Over 1000 clones of this native American species have been named. Fewer than 300 are available in the US trade and not more than 50 are usefully distinct for landscaping. Orcharding has other requirements and in some areas one must look for midge and leafspot resistance as well as frequency of fruit-bearing. For home gardens, fruit persistance is more of a concern. The cultivar recommendations here are based on personal observations of our members (your comments are welcome), published works of the American Holly Society, Fred Galle's wonderful monograph, comments solicited from leading growers, and assorted recommendations compiled over the years in our society files. |
UNUSUAL
FRUIT COLORS Autumn Wine - fruit near black
becoming dark wine red. |
PROVEN MALE
POLLINATORS Ashumet
- 8-12 ft., compact-horizontal, dark green leaf, very
floriferous pollinator, more cold hardy too. |