2 verticillata holly collection (male and female)

We offer you a collection of two Whorled Hollies, bringing together a male selection and a female selection, which will allow for particularly abundant red fruiting on the female bush, very decorative from autumn until the end of winter. Native to Canada and the northeastern U.S.A., Ilex verticillata is a perfectly hardy holly whose leaves, unlike those of the holly we all know, are not prickly and fall in autumn. Ornamental almost all year round, it will find its place in a natural garden, in a free hedge, but also in very wet areas and on the banks of waterways that it particularly loves.

The collection consists of:

- 1 Ilex verticillata 'Southern Gentleman': pollinating male variety. A bush with vigorous growth, measuring about 2 m (7ft) in all directions.

- 1 Ilex verticillata 'Maryland Beauty': highly floriferous female variety, selected for its abundant bright red fruiting. With a compact and bushy habit, the plant will reach about 2 m (7ft) in height and 1.75 m (6ft) in width.

Hollies belong to the Aquifoliaceae family. Ilex verticillata is a sucker-forming and ubiquitous bush, liking acidic soils and cool to wet areas, but also adapting to open spaces such as meadows or occasionally drier soils. It is found in a large part of the North American continent. This species is dioecious, meaning there are male and female subjects.

The foliage of the Whorled Holly is composed of obovate or lanceolate leaves, long and tapering, measuring from 3 to 9 cm (1 to 4in), and having toothed edges. The spring shoots turn purple. On mature leaves, the lamina is bright green and shiny on the top, lighter and velvety on the underside. The autumn colors, in shades of bronze, orange yellow with purple or violet reflections, are beautiful. The flowering takes place in spring, usually in May, in the form of small white flowers not exceeding 5 mm (<1in) in diameter. The male flowers are clustered. When pollination occurs, the female flowers transform into small globular and shiny fruits, dark red to scarlet in color, gathered in small clusters. They delight birds in winter.

Ilex verticillata will satisfy amateur gardeners who appreciate sturdy, colorful, and unpretentious bushes. It has the advantage of bringing fabulous colors to the garden, especially in winter, when its branches covered in bright red beads almost appear to be in bloom. It is perfect in a mixed hedge, in the company of symphorines, deciduous euonymus, amelanchiers, Cardinal dogwood, or elderberries. It mainly dislikes limestone, which causes its beautiful foliage to turn yellow, and prefers moist to wet soils. Hardy well beyond -15°C (5°F), it particularly enjoys the vicinity of water points and waterlogged areas. Some gardeners prune it into the shape of a small fir tree; the sight of these small red trees in winter is quite fascinating.