The holly genus, Ilex, offers a variety of plants from which to
choose. There are about 700 species worldwide, some
horticulturists estimate. And there is a great number of
cultivated varieties. Not all hollies have spiny leaves. Many of
the Japanese hollies (Ilex crenata) have spineless leaves. They
are often mistaken for boxwoods with their small, shiny leaves.
But boxwoods (Buxus) leaves are attached directly opposite one
another on the stem, while holly leaves have an alternate leaf
arrangement along the stem. Holly plants range from 2 to more
than 60 feet tall. Some dwarf types are great choices for
foundation plantings. These include Helleri holly, Carissa
holly, Dwarf yaupon holly and Stokes dwarf, thought to be the
same cultivar as Shilling dwarf. Don’t let the word dwarf fool
you. Many hollies in this category may reach 3 to 5 feet tall.
And Dwarf Burford may grow 8 feet or taller. Some “tree form”
hollies can reach heights approaching 60 feet. These can stand
alone as specimen plants or may provide