Quercus ilex

Cistus Design Nursery

Cistus Design Nursery

Cistus Design Nursery

Cistus Design Nursery

Common Name: Holly Oak

Native to the Mediterranean, frequently grown as far north as the British Isles and occasionally in the western US. This olive green, silver tinted, medium to large tree, to 25-40 ft ft (more in a few hundred years) is most exquisitely adapted to dry summer climates and is a wonderful constituent of that Mediterranean look, just throw in an Italian cypress and some olives. Requires only well-drained soil and temperatures not falling below 0 to 10F, USDA zone 7, for any length of time. Not absolutely happy with the summer heat and humidity of the US Southeast unless in well-drained, exposed situations.