Considered by landscape architects as one of the best of the North American native hollies, 'Satyr Hill' displays truly remarkable attractive foliage and unrivaled berry production. The handsome, glossy, olive green leaves have a distinctive tortoiseshell shape bordered with remote spiny teeth. In late spring, abundant clusters of tiny white flowers the beneficial pollinators will enjoy are followed by a spectacular show of equally abundant berries that mature to bright red in early fall, persisting through winter for the birds to enjoy. This female selection will require a pollinator for the heaviest berry production. Any male Ilex opaca will do. Naturally forming a broad pyramid 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, Satyr Hill is excellent as a specimen, in groupings or privacy screen plantings, or to frame the corners of homes and other buildings. It responds very well to pruning for since control, shaping purposes, or to remove lower branches forming a small evergreen tree. The branches of this cultivar are used for Christmas holiday decorations. 

The flowers of the American Holly provide nectar for beneficial pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly larvae, which appear from February to May and have one flight. Adult Henry's Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and other small mammals enjoy its abundant red berries.

The Greenleaf American Holly is easy to grow in moist but well-drained acidic soils of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Alkaline soils result in chlorosis (yellowing of leaves), which can be corrected by applying chelated iron and/or soil sulfur. More berries are produced in full to mostly sun; however, you can expect a good crop even with some shade. Four hours of direct sunlight per day is suggested. Minimal, if any, maintenance when left to grow naturally. Many landscapers will perform annual pruning to maintain a more formal appearance or control size.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on planting and caring for a Holly tree.

How To Plant A Holly Tree In The Ground Or In Pots

How To Prune A Holly Bush Or Tree

How To Fertilize & Water A Holly Tree

Privacy Screen Design And Planting Tips