Known to be toxic - The berries should not be eaten. Holly berries can cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed, particularly in quantity.
Plant Names
Ilex mucronata
Mountain Holly
Némopanthe mucroné
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: May - Jun
Max Height: 9.0 feet
Max Width: 6.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
Tolerates wet soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Tolerates wet soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Plant is
dioecious
Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
Spreads by rhizome
Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Ecological Benefits:
Supports birds
Supports birds
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Mountain Holly's female plants produce small red berries that can persist into fall. It drops its leaves in autumn. It prefers acidic soil and reliable moisture. It can tolerate wet and poorly drained conditions better than many garden shrubs. It is slow growing, rather than aggressive. Avoid allowing the soil to dry out for extended periods.
Plant Location
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
No ecozone information available for this plant.
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Ilex mucronata
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Ilex mucronata
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
- Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: 3/8 inch
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 2 years
- Double dormancy required
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: June
- Seed per envelope: 6
- Harvesting indicator:
- Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
- Harvesting:
- Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water to remove flesh, rinse throroughly using a strainer
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- Remove non-seed material
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
The berries should not be eaten. Holly berries can cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed, particularly in quantity.