Oakleaf Holly

About this plant

Known botanically as *Ilex x 'Oakleaf Red'*, the Oakleaf Holly brings year-round structure and beauty to any landscape. Its distinctive dark green, oak-shaped leaves are a delightful departure from typical holly foliage, offering a refined texture. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this holly is exceptionally versatile and low-maintenance. It's an excellent choice for creating privacy screens, adding a formal touch as an upright specimen, or forming a classic evergreen hedge. Its dense growth provides superb shelter for birds, too. As a female cultivar, 'Oakleaf Red' will produce an abundance of bright red berries in fall and winter, provided a male holly pollinator (*Ilex opaca* or another *Ilex x attenuata* type) is nearby. These vibrant berries offer a pop of color against the deep green foliage and are a welcome food source for birds, adding another layer of interest to your garden.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Generally low-maintenance once established. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain desired shape and size. Can tolerate a range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer if growth is weak.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.