Nice! Worth the effort in zone 5b areas of Ontario...I've got a seed grown one in Kingston that had slowly grown to ~5.5' before deciding that it likes that spot and then put on 2' in 2 years. It's been through -28C several times. Some years there is no leaf damage but it ranges all the way to total leaf drop in spring (winter 2013). Never had any branch dieback. It needs several winter thaws (>5C) to rehydrate the leaves though...not sure how reliable it would be in Ontario 5a where the thaws are shorter, less frequent, and not as warm.
That's awesome! I can't wait for mine to grow that big. I love when plants just decide to take off! Michael Dirr also mentioned in his writing about American Holly's that they usually leave back out after defoliating in harsh winters. Hope it doesn't come to that here but good to know. When growing in USDA zone 5a its probably best to go with one of the most cold hardy varieties most definitely!
Nice looking hollies! Do you grow any of the "blue" hybrid hollies? Sometimes called "meservae", the are all hybrids of ilex aquifolium x ilex rugosa. Supposedly they are more cold hardy than ilex opaca.
Nice! Worth the effort in zone 5b areas of Ontario...I've got a seed grown one in Kingston that had slowly grown to ~5.5' before deciding that it likes that spot and then put on 2' in 2 years. It's been through -28C several times. Some years there is no leaf damage but it ranges all the way to total leaf drop in spring (winter 2013). Never had any branch dieback. It needs several winter thaws (>5C) to rehydrate the leaves though...not sure how reliable it would be in Ontario 5a where the thaws are shorter, less frequent, and not as warm.
That's awesome! I can't wait for mine to grow that big. I love when plants just decide to take off! Michael Dirr also mentioned in his writing about American Holly's that they usually leave back out after defoliating in harsh winters. Hope it doesn't come to that here but good to know. When growing in USDA zone 5a its probably best to go with one of the most cold hardy varieties most definitely!
A house in Grimsby had a HUGE American holly. The house was sold and many trees were sacrificed. I hope that the holly was preserved, though.
That's fantastic! Was the holly visible from the street?
Nice looking hollies! Do you grow any of the "blue" hybrid hollies? Sometimes called "meservae", the are all hybrids of ilex aquifolium x ilex rugosa. Supposedly they are more cold hardy than ilex opaca.
Thanks! I don't have any of those, however they are readily available in the garden centers in my area. Definitely something to consider, so thanks!