- **Type**: Evergreen shrub or small tree (hybrid of *Ilex opaca* and *Ilex cassine*)

- **Height**: 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.6 meters); often kept smaller with pruning

- **Width**: 8 to 15 feet (2.4 to 4.5 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, narrowly pyramidal, open-branching; can be dense with pruning

- **Foliage**:

- Glossy, dark green leaves, 2 to 4 inches long (5 to 10 cm), 1 to 1.5 inches wide (2.5 to 4 cm)

- Oblong to elliptical, with soft spines (less prickly than American holly)

- Evergreen, maintaining color year-round

- **Flowers**:

- Small, white, inconspicuous blooms, about 0.25 inches (6 mm) across

- Bloom season: Spring (April to May)

- Lightly fragrant, attracts bees (dioecious; female plants need a male pollinator nearby for fruit)

- **Fruit**:

- Bright red berries, about 0.25 to 0.5 inches (6 to 13 mm) in diameter

- Abundant on female plants, ripening in fall (September to November), persisting into winter

- Attracts birds; mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) to partial shade (4-6 hours); best fruiting and density in sun

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, acidic (pH 5.0 to 6.5); tolerates clay, sand, or loam

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep moist until established (first 1-2 years), then drought-tolerant

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 6 to 9 (-10°F or -23°C to 20°F or -6°C)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts bees (flowers) and birds (berries); deer-resistant due to spiny leaves

- **Care**:

- Prune in late winter or early spring to shape or remove crowded branches

- Fertilize with an acid-loving plant mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Mulch 2-3 inches deep to retain moisture; ensure a male pollinator (e.g., ‘Jersey Knight’) for berry production

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- May see scale, spider mites, or leaf miners

- Susceptible to leaf spot or root rot in poorly drained soil

- **Uses**: Specimen tree, hedge, screen, foundation planting, or wildlife garden

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate; 12 to 24 inches per year once established

- **Special Features**:

- Hybrid cultivar bred for lighter green foliage and heavy berry production

- Native to southeastern U.S.; more adaptable than American holly (*Ilex opaca*)

- Festive winter appeal with berries against evergreen leaves

The Savannah Holly’s glossy foliage and abundant red berries make it a standout evergreen for year-round beauty, especially in winter when its fruit shines. It’s less prickly than some hollies, drought-tolerant once settled, and perfect for adding structure or wildlife appeal to gardens. Let me know if you’d like more care tips or design ideas!