Smooth Winterberry
Ilex laevigata
Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulurist, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- Ilex laevigata
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- White
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Clematis Sphinx (Sphinx luscitiosa), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers swampy or wetland areas