EAST PALATKA HOLLY
Discovered in 1927 near East Palatka, Florida, the East Palatka holly is a fascinating hybrid of Ilex cassine and Ilex opaca. This plant features broad, dull green leaves that are distinctively rounded with a single spine at the tip and few along the blade edge. These trees can reach an impressive height of 30 to 45 feet and exhibit a moderately tight, pyramidal shape. As a female holly plant, it becomes beautifully adorned with bright red berries during fall and winter, especially toward the top. The uniform appearance of these hollies in rows enhances their appeal among landscape architects and designers, making them a preferred choice for creating visually harmonious landscapes.
Height: 30 to 45 feet
Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Crown Uniformity: symmetrical
Crown Shape: pyramidal, columnar
Crown Density: moderate
Growth Rate: moderate
Texture: medium
Light Requirement: full sun or partial shade
Soil Tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought Tolerance: high
Aerosol Salt Tolerance: moderate
East Palatka holly is a truly magnificent choice for a street tree, celebrated for its incredible resilience and drought tolerance once established. It’s disheartening to see how often these trees are pruned in nurseries, a practice that sadly continues after planting, masking their natural elegance. In its untouched form, East Palatka holly boasts a stunning pyramid shape with gracefully drooping branches from a robust central trunk and vibrant red berries that delightfully attract birds. When nurtured with a single central trunk, it forms a narrow crown perfect for urban landscapes where vertical space is precious. Conversely, multi-stemmed or trimmed varieties develop broader crowns that might not fit snugly into compact downtown areas. By cultivating the tree with one strong central trunk, we enhance its durability and storm resistance; yet nurseries frequently offer multi-trunked versions instead. This remarkable tree flourishes even in small urban pits carved into sidewalks and grows vigorously in full sun or partial shade on moist, acidic soils—though it faces challenges on alkaline soils where the foliage may become chlorotic. Let’s embrace the beauty of East Palatka holly in its most authentic form!