Bring year-round elegance and structure to your garden with Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’, commonly known as Steeds Holly. This compact, upright evergreen shrub is prized for its dense, glossy dark green foliage and naturally pyramidal shape, making it an excellent choice for hedges, borders, or foundation plantings. In spring, inconspicuous white flowers appear, followed by small black berries in fall, adding subtle seasonal interest and attracting birds. Thriving in a variety of light conditions and well-drained soils, Steeds Holly offers a versatile and low-maintenance option for creating tidy, sophisticated landscapes.

Why Choose Steeds Holly?

• Pyramidal Elegance: Naturally upright, pyramidal shape requires little pruning, adding structure to your garden.
• Evergreen Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves provide year-round color and visual interest.
• Wildlife-Friendly: Fall berries attract birds, enhancing biodiversity in your landscape.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives in a variety of soils and tolerates full sun to partial shade with minimal care.

Cultivation Tips

• Sunlight Needs: Prefers full sun to partial shade; performs well in a range of light conditions.
• Soil Preferences: Grows best in well-drained, slightly acidic soils but adapts to sandy or loamy conditions.
• Watering Requirements: Water regularly during establishment; once mature, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering in dry spells.
• Spacing: Plant 3-5 feet apart for hedges or as individual specimens to allow for its upright growth habit.

Design Ideas for Your Garden

Steeds Holly is perfect for creating clean, elegant hedges, privacy screens, or accents in foundation plantings. Use it as a formal backdrop for flowering perennials like Hydrangeas or Coneflowers, or combine it with other evergreen shrubs like Boxwoods for a layered, structured look. Its neat, pyramidal form also makes it a beautiful choice for framing entryways or as a stand-alone specimen in formal or informal gardens.

Ecological Benefits

Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’ supports birds by providing berries as a winter food source and offers shelter for small wildlife with its dense foliage. Its low-maintenance, drought-tolerant nature makes it a sustainable option for eco-friendly landscapes.

Add timeless beauty and functionality to your landscape with Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’ – Steeds Holly. This durable, low-maintenance shrub is perfect for adding structure, wildlife value, and year-round greenery to your garden.