Solar Flare Holly. This cultivar was a branch sport off of Ilex 'Oakleaf,' which is a seedling of 'Mary Nell,' a multi-species hybrid containing Ilex cornuta 'Burfordi,' Ilex pernyi 'Red Delight' and Ilex latifolia. The plantslady who found Ilex ‘Solar Flare’ is Marilyn Joan Currier of The Unique Plant, Chapel Hill, NC. What is remarkable about its parent 'Oak Leaf' is that it is hermaphroditic, having male and female parts in each flower, so that it can set fruit without having to provide a pollinator. Even though none of our 'Solar Flare' have produced flowers at this time, we would assume that when mature it will flower like its parent. This is one of the most incredible variegated hollies that I have ever seen with its bright gold margins and medium sized leaves. This selection was being evaluated for its patentable potential, but was dropped because it was such a slow grower. Unfortunately, nurserymen like plants which grow fast, so that they will have a salable crop in the minimum amount of time. But in my opinion, its slow growth is a plus, making it a much more compact, manageable selection, or at least a plant that one can easily keep as a smaller specimen in the landscape. It would perform best in full sun to part shade with adequate drainage. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant as well.
Zones 6-9
