Sarvis holly is a large, deciduous, upright shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States. It is relatively rare in natural settings, although it is generally available commercially, and has a range that reaches its northern limit in southeastern North Carolina. It is found along black water rivers and floodplains and in clay-based Carolina bays. The species epithet commemorates the resemblance to the genus Amelanchier in the rose family. Sarvis holly is a single-stemed holly that grows well in course to medium textured acidic soil and has some drought tolerance. It is highly tolerant of flooding. The plant can be pruned to shape; however, keep in mind that next year's blossoms and fruit will appear on new growth. In North Carolina, it has been recorded in just 7 counties in the Coastal Plain. While it is rare and slow to reach maturity, once established, it tends to have a long lifespan. The leaves are dull green above, light green below with pubescent, raised white veins on the lower surface. The fruit is a dull, velvety rosy red. For the plant to produce berries, you must have both a male and female plant of the same species. This is a good choice for a rain garden, native garden, or winter garden. It can be used as an accent, foundation planting, border or hedge. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. More information on Ilex .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Dull, pale green ovate leaves up to 4 inches long. Leaves are very finely toothed almost entire. The undersides of leaves are very densely hairy and lighter in color.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Inconspicuous tiny flowers with 4 or 5 greenish-white petals are borne in small clusters in the leaf axils. Blossom in April and May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Pink; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Dull pink-red drupes, slightly glaucous, appear in late summer and may last through the following spring. You need both male and female plants to produce berries.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is smooth, grayish-brown and often marked with lenticels. Often colonized by lichens.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy; White
Stem detail
Young stems and twigs are hairy and appear almost white but become glabrous and red-brown with age.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern, U.S.A.
Distribution
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Wildlife value
Fruits are attractive to birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Use caution. Human ingestion of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Pond; Riparian
Landscape theme
Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden; Winter Garden