Holly for MN - Ask Extension
Bachman’s has a shamrock holly. In reading up on the internet about the shamrock holly, it says we must have both a male and female plant for berrie...
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Holly for MN #671683
Asked August 01, 2020, 8:56 PM EDT
Bachman’s has a shamrock holly. In reading up on the internet about the shamrock holly, it says we must have both a male and female plant for berries to set. Bachman’s hasn’t answered my question about how to tell which is a female and male. I’m attaching a photo of holly I took near the women’s softball field that i put into iNaturalist for identification. Is shamrock holly the same as what is on campus? The technical name of shamrock holly is Ilex glabra on the net. Can you help me with identifying the holly on campus and how to distinguish between male and female? How do I make certain I get a male and female plant? Plus, we’d really like what we saw on campus. Any information would be greatly appreciated. The first attached photo is the picture from camous.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thanks for the question.
Only female plants can produce berries. But this is only true if male plants are nearby to provide pollen for pollination. The problem you face is that unless a plant has flowers, you will not be able between male and female plants. The foliage on both is virtually identical. Sometimes you will see a particular bush labeled as male or female. If the plant does not have flowers, do not be assured it has been labeled correctly. See the following:
https://www.thespruce.com/difference-in-male-and-female-holly-bushes-2132269
http://www.hollysocam.org/flowers.htm
Good Luck!!
