A pretty variegated variety of the hybrid holly, this plant does not seem to have its own common name. The common name Highclare holly seems to be used for all the cultivars of this hybrid cross. Oh well. I am going to make up one. Regardless of the name, this trees is evergreen, narrow upright and usually a pretty tight habit, growing 25' tall. Grown for its variegated foliage and pretty fruit.
Leaves are alternate, simple, narrowly ovate or elliptical shaped, spineless entire margins and yellow coloration in the center of the leaf. Coloration not uniform leaf to leaf.
Commonly reverts to all green leaves, so pruning is in order.
Flowers are dioecious, these being female. Small, white in clusters on new growth.
Fruit is a red berry, clustered in groups.
Stems are green. (This is from a branch with non variegated leaves.)
Bark is silver gray, smooth with some wrinkling at the branch collars.
Like so many other holly trees, this one is a hybrid between I. aquifolium x I. perado.
Misidentification:
There are several other yellow variegated hollies, some of which the variegation is on the margins, others like these. I made my identification from all the descriptions indicating the leaves revert to green, which this tree does.
Location:
Aptos
408 Gay Rd.
