Description
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Ilex Cassine (Dahoon holly) is just one of 500 species of holly that occurs in temperate to subtropical climatic regions. Native to the southeastern USA, Dahoon Holly has a natural range extending into the West Indies and South America.
Additionally, Holly is a small to medium-size ornamental tree or large shrub. Moreover, the leaves are evergreen and measure 6 by 1.5 inches. The leaves are glossy, dull, or dark green in color with a few spines at the tip. Furthermore, the flowers are white, with four lobes, that develop into bright red fruits; round, small 1/3 to 1/4 inches in diameter, containing 4 seeds that attract birds.
Typically, Dahoon holly is grown for its eye-catching bright red fruits which contrasts vividly with the glossy green leaves. It is an excellent tree to accent a garden, grow in a conservatory, in bonsai form, or as a screening hedge. All hollies respond well to pruning. Ilex Cassine (Dahoon holly) grows well in slightly acidic soil and can its perfect for wet sites, being a swamp plant. There are no major pest or disease problems with this plant. Dahoon holly is dioecious with separate male and female plants. Female plants need a nearby male pollinizer plant; bees are common pollinizers. Dahoon holly propagates from cuttings or seed, but the gender of seed plants will be either male or female and wont reveal until sexual maturity.