Introduction

`Angustifolia' Dahoon Holly has narrower, more linear leaves than the species and more berries. Attractive when tightly clipped into a tall screen or allowed to grow naturally into its single or multi-trunked, small-tree form, `Angustifolia' Dahoon Holly is ideal for a variety of landscape settings. Capable of reaching 40 feet in height, it is usually seen at a height of 20 to 30 feet with a 10 to 18-foot spread. The smooth, supple, shiny, dark green, evergreen leaves, two to three inches long, have just a few serrations near the tip. Possessing male and female flowers on separate plants, at least two `Angustifolia' Dahoon Hollies must be planted in the landscape to ensure production of the brilliant red, sometimes yellow, small berries in fall and winter. The berries serve as an excellent food source for wildlife.

General Information

Scientific name: Ilex cassine

Pronunciation: EYE-lecks kuh-SIGH-nee

Common name(s): 'Angustifolia' Dahoon Holly

Family: Aquifoliaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 7A through 11 (Fig. 2)

Origin: native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: hedge; screen; specimen; deck or patio; reclamation; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; container or planter; Bonsai; highway median

Availability: generally available

Description

Height: 20 to 30 feet

Spread: 10 to 18 feet

Crown uniformity: irregular

Crown shape: round, vase

Crown density: dense

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire, pectinate

Leaf shape: oblong, oblanceolate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit covering: fleshy

Fruit color: red

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green, brown

Current year twig thickness: thin

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; slightly alkaline; acidic; extended flooding; well-drained

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and Management

It lends itself well to use as a specimen or small patio or shade tree, and is ideal for naturalizing in moist locations. It appears to adapt well to the confined spaces of urban and downtown landscapes but will require pruning of the drooping branches to create clearance below for pedestrians and traffic. Best to locate the plant where it will not require removal of these drooping branches to allow for the full development of the rounded, vase-shaped form. It would make a nice, fine-textured component in a shrub border or could be planted as a screen 10 feet apart.

Growing well in full sun to partial shade, `Angustifolia' Dahoon Holly does best on moist soils, and is found on wet, boggy soils of swamps in its native environment. It can tolerate drier locations with some watering but may have a thin crown.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern.