Ilex montana aka Mountain Winterberry

Ilex montana, or mountain holly, belongs to the holly family. This deciduous shrub or small tree grows in eastern North America. Its range includes Appalachian forests from New York to Georgia. It grows in woods with a steady supply of moisture. In North Carolina, it occurs chiefly in the mountains. It also grows less often in the Piedmont. The name montana refers to its mountain habitat.

Mountain holly grows upright and often forms several stems. It reaches about 20 feet [6.1 m] in height. Some plants reach 40 feet [12.2 m] or more. Growth is slow, but established plants can live long lives. Gray-brown bark has a smooth surface with scattered warts. Lichens often grow on the bark. Slender twigs range from gray-brown to reddish brown. Small, pale lenticels dot their surface, and short spur shoots occur.

The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern along stems. They are oval to egg-shaped, with shallow teeth but no spines. Their upper sides are dull green, with paler green beneath. Raised veins give the leaves a puckered look. The leaves feel leathery and fall before winter. Small, scented flowers open from April through June. Their greenish-white blooms form clusters where leaves meet the stems. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Both sexes must be present for females to bear fruit. The red fruit appears from August to September. A faint waxy coating may cover its skin. Fruit can stay through winter, sometimes into the next spring.

Grow mountain holly in moist soil that drains well. It prefers acid soil, though the source also lists neutral soil. It accepts clay, loam, and sand. Give it full sun or a place with partial shade. It tolerates some drought once growing well. The listed hardiness range covers USDA zones 6 through 10. Pruning can shape it as either a shrub or tree.

Its lasting fruit adds winter interest to native gardens. It also suits naturalized sites and gardens for pollinators. Bees visit the flowers; birds and small mammals eat the fruit. Deer tend to cause little damage. NC State reports no known disease or insect pest problems. People should not treat the berries as food. Leaves and fruit contain saponins and have low-level toxicity. Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.