Know this Holly?

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Moby Lincoln, NE(Zone 5b) Nov 23, 2006

Yet another shrub at the new house ~ it's a nice holly as it isn't very sharp. I'd be happy if someone could get me in the ballpark for an ID.

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Moby Lincoln, NE(Zone 5b) Nov 23, 2006

Here is a pic of the shrub. Apx. 3 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide.

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starlight1153 Seale, AL(Zone 8b) Nov 23, 2006

Wonder if it isn't Ilex x Emily Brunner? Beautiful green color and fruit there ya got going.

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Todd_Boland St. John's, NL(Zone 5b) Nov 23, 2006

Looks like the classic Ilex X meservae or Blue Holly..it is the only reliable one in zone 5b.

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PrairieGirlZ5 Thornton, IL Nov 23, 2006

That looks like Ilex meservae 'Blue Boy'.

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UUallace Cincinnati, OH Nov 23, 2006

Leaf color isn't right for a Blue Holly. They are hybrids of Ilex rugosa and English Holly. My guess is China Girl (I. rugosa x Chinese Holly). Zone 5 limits it to I. rugosa hybids. Some include China Girl as a 'Blue Holly'.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?Code=D490
Larry

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Moby Lincoln, NE(Zone 5b) Nov 23, 2006

Thanks a bunch, that's a good start. Are these berries going to ripen any more or is this all they will do?

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kman_blue (Zone 6b) Nov 23, 2006

I'd say it looks just like the 'Blue Boy' Hollies I see for sale in my area. Although it doesn't have perfect color, it still looks like 'Blue Boy' to me. Often times in less acidic soils here they tend to have more of a medium green leaf, rather than the more typical dark blue-green color. The 'China Boy' Holly tends to be more yellow-green to lime green in color. Also, the teeth look more like 'Blue Boy' to me than any of the hybrids with Ilex cornuta, which mostly tend to have tooth patterns more resembling the I. cornuta parent.

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kman_blue (Zone 6b) Nov 23, 2006

Those aren't berries, they're male flower buds. Often times some of these will open in mild days in the fall in my area, but otherwise most open in the spring of next year.

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Moby Lincoln, NE(Zone 5b) Nov 23, 2006

Ahh.... I see. I didn't know they would set buds so early when they have such late ripening fruit. (provided it's a female) We've had several hard freezes quite early this season and thought the fruit might have been stunted.

Thanks, everyone, for all the help.

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