Re: Ilex opaca

Kitty,

I think Chris is probably right that wind is not a major factor. I found this in Brooklyn Botanic's guide for Hollies:
"Winter sun is hard on hollies that are tender in your area. Keep this in mind when choosing hollies, because one of the main attractions is the beautiful sheen reflected by that winter sun from the foliage and berries."
I. cornuta 'Nellie R. Stevens' is listed for zones 7 to 9; thus you are on the fringe, and the full sun in an open nursery may have been the culprit. We do well here in zone 5 with I. opaca, x meserveae, glabra, and crenata, and some of the deciduous species, especially decidua and verticillata.

Josh Haskell


----- Original Message ----- From: "Marge Talt" <mtalt@hort.net>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:31 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Ilex opaca


Other than soil pH, the only other reason that comes to mind is that
the evergreen forms do not like being exposed to harsh winter winds.
In prairie states, without good windbreak protection, it's unlikely
that they'd do well even if cold hardy.  Even here in z6b-7a, they
will suffer in winter wind.  One wholesale nursery about 20 miles
north of me lost their entire crop of 'Nellie Stevens' during one bad
winter here - all planted out in a field exposed to what winter gave;
owner said he wasn't gonna grow them again:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------

From: Kitty <kmrsy@comcast.net>

I think most hollies like at least somewhat acid soil, which we can

do some

adjusting for.  But from the listings it looks like for some it's a

must

while for others it's not such a big deal.  And the acid soil

requirement

certainly doesn't stop our local nurseries from offering Rhodies.

Ilex x

meserveae varieties are always available here.  They're pretty

hardy.  But I

don't think I often see much else. I used to think it was because

most of

them were more Zone 6 or 7.  Many are, but since I've been

searching

recently, I've found there's lots of varieties that can handle Zone

5.  I

don't know why the nurseries don't have them.

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