Pair of 2 Acebo verticillata (macho and female)

We offer a collection of two Acebo trees, bringing together a male selection and a female selection, which will allow for particularly abundant red fruiting on the female shrub, very decorative from autumn until the end of winter. Originating from Canada and the northeast of the U.S.A, the Ilex verticillata is a perfectly hardy holly whose leaves, unlike those of the holly we all know, are not prickly and fall in autumn. Ornamental almost all year round, it will find its place in a natural garden, in a free hedge, but also in very wet areas and on the banks of water points that it particularly loves.

The collection consists of:

- 1 Ilex verticillata Southern Gentleman: pollinating male variety. Vigorously growing shrub, measuring approximately 2 m in all directions.

- 1 Ilex verticillata Maryland Beauty: very floriferous female variety, selected for its abundant bright red fruiting. With a compact and bushy port, the plant will reach about 2 m in height and 1.75 m in width.

Hollies belong to the Aquifoliaceae family. The Ilex verticillata is a suckering and very ubiquitous shrub, loving acidic soils and fresh to wet areas, but also adapting to open spaces like meadows or occasionally drier sandy soils. It is found in a large part of the North American territory. This species is dioecious, meaning there are male and female subjects.

The foliage of the Acebo tree is composed of obovate or lanceolate leaves, long and tapering, measuring from 3 to 9 cm, with serrated edges. The young spring shoots turn purple. On adult leaves, the blade is bright green and shiny on the top, lighter and velvety underneath. The autumnal colours, in shades of bronze, orange-yellow with purple or violet reflections, are beautiful. The flowering takes place in spring, usually in May, in the form of small white flowers not exceeding 5 mm in diameter. Male flowers are clustered. When pollination occurs, female flowers transform into small globular and shiny fruits, ranging from dark red to scarlet, clustered in small bunches. They are a delight for birds in winter.

Ilex verticillata will satisfy amateur gardeners looking for sturdy, colourful, and unpretentious shrubs. It offers the advantage of bringing fabulous colours to the garden, especially in winter when its branches covered with bright red beads seem almost in bloom. It is perfect in a mixed hedge, alongside snowberries, deciduous serviceberries, Cardinal dogwood, or elderberries. It mainly dislikes limestone, which causes its beautiful foliage to yellow, and prefers fresh to moist soils. Hardy well below -15°C, it particularly loves the vicinity of water points and waterlogged areas. Some gardeners prune it into the shape of a small fir tree; the sight of these little red trees in winter is quite fascinating.