Ilex 'MARY NELL'

Mary Nell is a hybrid holly from the USA, bred by Joe McDaniels in Tom Dodd Nursery in Alabama in 1962. It is a cross between large-leaved holly ilex latifolia and hybrid holly Red Delight which is a cross between ilex cornuta and ilex pernyi. Joseph C. McDaniels (1912-1982) was a renowned horticulturist and breeder who bred and introduced a large number of new plants, especially flowering plants and nut trees, but his biggest passion were magnolias. He was a member of American Magnolia Society for 32 years and helped conserve a lot of rare varieties. He worked tirelessly and his wife Mary Nell helped him write down all his findings he would not have time for, and in honour of her contribution he named this holly after her.

Mary Nell holly is a shiny jewel among American hollies. It is an evergreen shrub with deep forest green leaves decorated with notably serrated but not very prickly margins. They are 5-6 cm long, highly glossy, and cover the branches almost entirely. It is a female variety producing numerous red berries in autumn without defoliated branches (if grown in fertile soil). These berries are not edible but contain saponins which cause severe discomfort if eaten.

The plant naturally forms an upright and densely branched shrub or small multi-stemmed tree about 3-4 m tall and half as wide in C.E. climate. It responds well to pruning – spring pruning enhances branching and midsummer pruning slows down growth and secures a nice shape. Mary Nell serves a beautiful specimen tree or shrub, and combines well with other screening plants in evergreen hedges.

Hollies can take both full sun and deep shade but with less sunlight they will lose their shape. They need very fertile, humus-rich, acidic soil and constant moisture though Mary Nell, as a horned holly hybrid, can take long periods of drought once established. Yet for best results we recommend watering once a month during dry spells. Mulching will also keep the plant moist and will protect its surface roots from quick freezing. Hardiness was tested down to -25°C (USDA zone 6) and is expected to go yet a little lower.

Last update 26-10-2020