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Texas Tough Hollies

Hollies are classic, low-maintenance plants that add beauty to your landscape with minimal care. They provide year-round interest, with attractive berries in winter, and offer food and shelter for birds. Hollies thrive in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma and are adaptable to various sun conditions.

Here are 7 great holly options that produce berries without needing a pollinator:

1. Dwarf Burford Holly

• Berries: Large red berries all winter
• Size: 6-8 feet tall x 6-8 feet wide (if unpruned)
• Foliage: Glossy, deep green with a single spine at the leaf tip
• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Zone: 7-9
• Features: Easy to maintain, great for bird habitat, heat and drought tolerant
• Evergreen

2. Nellie R. Stevens Holly

• Berries: Large red berries each winter
• Size: 15-20 feet tall x 12 feet wide (if unpruned)
• Foliage: Dark green, 3-inch leaves
• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Zone: 6-9
• Features: Fast-growing, can be a specimen tree or hedge, tolerates various soil types
• Evergreen

3. Needlepoint Holly

• Berries: Bright red berries in fall
• Size: 8-10 feet tall x 6 feet wide (if unpruned)
• Foliage: Long, narrow leaves with a single spine at the tip
• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Zone: 6-9
• Features: Fast growth, great for windbreaks, screening, and as a specimen plant
• Evergreen

4. Christmas Jewel Holly

• Berries: Large red berries
• Size: 8-10 feet tall x 8 feet wide
• Foliage: Glossy green, conical shape
• Light: Full Sun to Part Sun
• Zone: 6-9
• Features: Requires minimal pruning, excellent for screens or specimens
• Evergreen

5. Yaupon Holly Tree 'Pride of Houston'

• Berries: Small red berries in fall and winter
• Size: 15 feet tall x 8 feet wide
• Foliage: Shiny green leaves
• Light: Full Sun to Part Sun
• Zone: 7-10
• Features: Texas native, tolerant of various soils, heat, and drought, suitable for topiary and as an accent
• Evergreen

6. Weeping Yaupon Holly Tree

• Berries: Bright orange to red berries
• Size: 15-20 feet tall x 6-12 feet wide
• Foliage: Cascading branches with colorful berries
• Light: Best berry production in full sun
• Features: Elegant, compact, and adaptable, great for entryways and borders
• Evergreen

7. Possum Haw Holly 'Warrens Red'

• Berries: Glossy, bright red berries
• Size: 12-15 feet tall x 8-10 feet wide
• Foliage: Deciduous (drops leaves in fall)
• Light: Sun to Part Sun
• Zone: 5
• Features: Tolerant of various soil types, provides food and shelter for songbirds
• Deciduous

These hollies are versatile and resilient, perfect for adding color and interest to your garden year-round.

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