Quick Guide to Mary Nell Holly
- Evergreen holly that provides year-round interest
- Female holly with dark green, glossy leaves
- Produces white flowers in spring
- Produces heavy clusters of red berries in fall through winter
- Mature size: 15 to 20 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide
- Dense, pyramidal, Christmas tree-like form
Why Grow Mary Nell Holly
When it comes to evergreen hollies that provide year-round interest, I have several favorites, but I am infatuated with Mary Nell (Ilex × ‘Mary Nell’).
This female holly has dark green, glossy leaves with 8 to 10 menacing-looking spines on either side of its margins. They have the look and feel of plastic.
I like how the rippled surfaces of the shiny leaves reflect the sun’s rays to illuminate the entire tree.
The textured dark green leaves of Mary Nell holly act as a foil for its dark red winter fruits.
Robert F. Polomski, ©2026, Clemson Extension
What Mary Nell Holly Looks Like
In addition to its spectacular leaves, Mary Nell produces a beautiful display of white flowers in the Spring that attract an assortment of pollinators.
The heavy clusters of red berries in the Fall draw attention from people, birds, and other wildlife.
The piece de resistance of Mary Nell is her dense, Christmas tree-like pyramidal form.
Eventually, this holly matures to a height of 15 to 20 feet with a 12- to 15-foot spread.
How Mary Nell Holly Was Developed
Mary Nell resulted from a cross made by Joe McDaniel at Tom Dodd Nurseries in Semmes, Alabama, in 1962.
The female parent was a hybrid between Burford holly and Red Delight perny holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’ × Ilex pernyi ‘Red Delight’), and the male was a lusterleaf holly (Ilex latifolia).
From the many hybrid offspring that germinated and grew, one was selected and released in 1981.
Thomas H. Dodd, Jr. named her Mary Nell after Joe McDaniels’ wife.
How to Prune and Shape Mary Nell Holly
During her formative years, Mary Nell needs some primping to reduce or remove the random wayward branches that spring up like cowlicks.
As Mary Nell reaches maturity, less pruning will be necessary to maintain its tight, symmetrical form.
Mary Nell needs a little encouragement with selective pruning cuts to maintain its pyramidal form.
Robert F. Polomski, ©2026, Clemson Extension
Where to Use Mary Nell Holly in the Landscape
For full sun to part shade, consider using Mary Nell in a privacy screen or hedge.
I like to see Mary Nell as a stand-alone specimen or accent plant that draws admiring looks year-round.
Mary Nell can be sheared into teardrop shapes to create a formal privacy screen.
Robert F. Polomski, ©2026, Clemson Extension
