Oakland Holly
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Moderate to Fast (2 ft/year)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
Secure checkoutLicensed & insured installation crew
About Oakland Holly
Oakland Holly (Ilex x attenuata 'Oakland') is a narrower-growing hybrid holly bred for a tighter, more uniform pyramidal shape than older selections like Nellie R. Stevens, reaching 15-20 feet tall but only 8-10 feet wide. That narrower footprint makes it a strong option for Gwinnett County side-yard screens where space is tighter than a backyard property line. Its foliage is smooth-edged with fewer spines than traditional hollies, making maintenance and cleanup easier for homeowners. Growth is moderate to fast at about 2 feet per year, and the plant naturally holds a dense, formal pyramid without heavy shearing. Oakland Holly is heat and humidity tolerant, handles Georgia's clay soil well when drainage is adequate, and shows good resistance to common holly pests. It produces red berries in fall and winter that persist into the season, adding color to an otherwise all-green privacy planting. This holly is an increasingly popular alternative in newer Lawrenceville developments where landscape plans call for a uniform, formal evergreen screen with a narrower mature width than classic large hollies.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 15-20 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 8-10 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate — weekly until established, then drought tolerant |
| Bloom Season | N/A (small spring flowers, grown for foliage) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast (2 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Oakland Holly in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil; as with other hollies in Georgia clay, set the root ball slightly high and mulch well rather than planting in a deep hole. Space plants 5-7 feet apart for a tight, uniform screen given its narrower mature width. Water deeply twice weekly through the first summer, then taper to occasional deep watering during drought.
Fast Facts
- Mature height: 15-20 ft, width only 8-10 ft — narrower than most hollies
- Fewer spines than traditional holly cultivars, easier to maintain
- Growth rate: about 2 ft per year
- Naturally dense pyramidal form, needs minimal shearing
- Deer resistant and heat/humidity tolerant
- Berries persist into winter for color and bird food
Pairs Well With
Oakland Holly FAQs
How wide does Oakland Holly grow?
Oakland Holly matures to only 8-10 feet wide while reaching 15-20 feet tall, noticeably narrower than Nellie R. Stevens Holly. This makes it well suited to tighter side-yard screens and narrow lot lines common in newer Gwinnett County subdivisions.
Does Oakland Holly need pruning?
Oakland Holly naturally forms a dense, uniform pyramid and needs little pruning to maintain its shape, unlike faster or looser-growing screening plants. Occasional light shaping after the spring growth flush keeps the form tidy but is optional rather than required.