Discover the Dahoon Holly: A Versatile Evergreen with Bright Winter Berries
The Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine) is an attractive evergreen native to the southeastern United States. It can be shaped into a tall screen or allowed to grow naturally as a small, single-trunked tree, making it ideal for diverse landscape settings. Typically seen reaching 20 to 30 feet in height, its smooth, shiny dark green leaves offer year-round appeal. To ensure the production of the brilliant red berries that appear in fall and winter, both male and female plants should be present. These berries serve as a valuable food source for wildlife. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, the Dahoon Holly adapts well to moist soils, its native habitat being swamps and boggy areas, but it can also tolerate drier locations with some care. This versatile holly is suitable as a specimen tree, for hedges, or even in containers.
Sizes Available
Wholesale Only
1 Gallon
$4.00
3 Gallon
$8.00
7 Gallon
$22.00
15 Gallon
$50.00
A Dahoon Holly showcases its glossy dark green leaves and vibrant red berries, providing year-round beauty and sustenance for wildlife.
Scientific Name: Ilex cassine
Common Name: Dahoon Holly, Cassine, Cassine Holly, Narrowleaf Dahoon Holly
Hardiness Zones: 7A through 11
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 8 to 12 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage: Spring & Summer: Smooth, supple, shiny dark green, evergreen leaves, 2 to 3 inches long with a few serrations near the tip, provide year-round visual interest. Fall: No significant color change; remains a consistent dark green.
Bark: The bark is dark gray, thin, and smooth on younger trees, becoming scaly with age.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade is ideal for Dahoon Holly.
Soil: This holly thrives in moist soils, its native environment. It tolerates clay, sand, and loam soils, both slightly alkaline and acidic, and can grow in wet to well-drained conditions.
Wildlife Value: The brilliant red berries that appear in the fall and winter are an excellent food source for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
Why Choose Dahoon Holly?
Attractive Evergreen with Year-Round Appeal:
The Dahoon Holly offers lush, dark green foliage that persists throughout the year, providing continuous visual interest to the landscape. Its ability to be shaped or left natural adds to its versatility in garden design.
Brilliant Red Winter Berries for Wildlife:
In the fall and winter, female Dahoon Holly plants produce showy, bright red berries. These berries not only add color to the dormant landscape but also serve as a crucial food source for birds and other wildlife during colder months.
Adaptable to Various Soil Conditions:
While its native habitat includes wet, boggy soils, the Dahoon Holly demonstrates adaptability. It can thrive in a range of soil types, from clay to sand, and in both moist and well-drained conditions, making it a suitable choice for various locations.
Versatile for Hedges, Screens, or Specimens:
Whether you need a tightly clipped tall screen for privacy, a naturally shaped small tree as a specimen, or even a plant for a container on a deck or patio, the Dahoon Holly’s adaptable form makes it a valuable addition to numerous landscape designs.
Environmental Benefits of Planting Dahoon Holly
This data is based on US Averages of healthy and mature trees over a 20-year period.
Check out the USDA’s MyTree Tool to input your custom location data.
A single dahoon holly can offset the CO₂ emissions produced by driving an average gas-powered car for 3,827 miles.
A single dahoon holly can absorb enough stormwater to fill 492 bathtubs, reducing erosion, runoff, and supporting transpiration.
A single dahoon holly removes as much air pollution as the weight of 61 smartphones.
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Central Florida Lands and Timber Nursery, LLC. is a wholesale nursery specializing in a wide array of Florida native trees. With an inventory of over 2 million container-grown trees, CFLTN, LCC can meet the needs of large-scale reforestation, mitigation, and landscaping projects throughout the Southeast region.
Phone
(386) 294-1211
Address
3087 North County Road 53 Mayo, Florida 32066