Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Ilex pedunculosa, 1 by runktrun

runktrun wrote:
Thank you all for your input and I am considering your lack of familiarity with this tree true testament to it's undesirable (butt ugly) appearance in the landscape. Who is better to evaluate the aesthetic qualities of plant for the landscape the masses or the experts? I recently found myself in a quandary that all began very innocently a few short weeks ago when someone new to landscaping submitted his wish list of shrubs for a new border. I thought the list was well thought out with the exception of Ilex pedunculosa and told him so (no I did not use the adjective butt ugly) unfortunately a buddy (our friendship was formed by mutual admiration to the sarcasm gods) found an opportunity to have some fun. Keep in mind this buddy has been to my home and viewed first hand my butt ugly Ilex pedunculosa , I could tolerate her comments re my high standards…what’s not to love…beautiful berries… yada, yada, yada, but now after I mentioned the link to back issues of Arnoldia she has with way too much glee stumbled on an article that she considers a creditable reference to the beauty of this under used tree. If that wasn’t enough thanks to rcn48’s research the debate takes a twist to include a moral dilemma do I allude to my buddy that Dirr as well as Arnold Arboretum have a skewed vision of beauty?? How do I stand up to these giants?? Kt

rcn48 - I believe I have ideal conditions for this tree, sandy acidic soil, and own neither a snow shovel or an air conditioner.

I propose when there are few attributes to a plant the tendency is to focus on the berry.