Welcome to our Plant Library! This is a new feature on our website to showcase the vast selection of plants that we carry across different seasons. We are continuously adding products, so if you are looking for a specific plant not listed below, we encourage you to call or visit to see if we have it in stock!
Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Botanical Name: Ilex × ‘Nellie R. Stevens’
Common Name: Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Mature Height and Width: 15–25′ tall × 8–12′ wide
Growth Habit: Upright, pyramidal evergreen with a strong central leader and dense branching. Moderate to fast growth rate with a naturally symmetrical outline when unpruned.
Foliage Description: Glossy, dark green leaves with prominent spines along margins. Foliage is dense, leathery, and holds color well through winter. Evergreen in Zones 6–9 (marginal Zone 5 in protected sites).
Flower Description: Small white flowers in spring; not ornamentally significant. Produces abundant bright red berries on female plants without need for a separate pollinator, making it highly ornamental in fall and winter.
Bloom Time: Late spring
Fall Color: Evergreen; bright red berries provide strong seasonal interest from fall into winter.
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; best berry production occurs in full sun.
Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 6–9 (protected Zone 5 sites)
Notable Landscape Uses:
Large privacy screens; evergreen property borders; specimen tree in front lawns; holiday interest plantings; windbreaks; tall foundation corners; commercial buffer plantings; background structure in large landscapes.
Deer Resistance: High
Nellie R. Stevens Holly demonstrates strong deer resistance due to its thick, spiny foliage. While no plant is completely deer-proof, browsing is uncommon and typically limited to light sampling in high-pressure areas. Established plants sustain minimal long-term damage in Zones 6–7.