Ilex glabra

Ilex glabra is a shrub native to the southeast. It is predominantly found in moist to wet habitats in the coastal plain. It does best when grown in full sun to part shade, and well drained, moist soils. It can tolerate wetter soil, but does not do well in dry soil. It is evergreen and tends to sucker, which works well if you want to create a screen. It has small white flowers that bloom in the spring and attract many pollinators, and black shiny fruits that are a popular food source for birds and small mammals. Ilex glabra is great to grow in a yard or rain garden, and works well for restoration projects and erosion control.