Ilex plant--Mesog variety

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Ilex which originated as a cross-pollination of Ilex rugosa and Ilex cornuta is provided. The new variety possesses attractive medium green foliage, produces an abundance of scarlet berries, and exhibits a compact and symmetrical growth habit and good tolerance to cold and heat.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of Ilex, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by the unique combination of: (a) a well-branched, symmetrical, compact, medium-sized shrub having a vigorous habit of growth which is well-adapted to a wide range of landscape uses,   (b) a profusion of dull, scarlet fruit which is produced in spring and which attains its full scarlet coloration in mid to late fall, lasting on the bush into spring of the following year,   (c) the ability to be sheared and trimmed to be kept within prescribed limits or shaped to a particular form,   (d) cold tolerance which is superior to the species Ilex cornuta as well as most cultivars of that species, as evidenced by the fact that the present variety has survived with no visible damage temperatures of -15° F., whereas the species Ilex cornuta and most of its cultivars are listed as hardy to 0° F.,   (e) good heat tolerance which is characteristic of Ilex cornuta and which is much improved over Ilex rugosa, and,   (f) green, semi-glossy to glossy foliage which is less quadrangular in shape as well as less glossy in appearance than Ilex cornuta.