Red Beauty^®
 

Ilex x 'Rutzan' U.S. Plant Patent No. 14,750 This distinct holly tree variety  combines dark glossy green foliage with an abundance of well displayed bright red berries.  It becomes densely branched with a narrow conical form with very little or no pruning. Rutzan is a new and distinct variety of evergreen holly distinguished in that it combines from three species (Ilex aquifolium, Ilex rugosa, and Ilex pernyi), desirable landscape and production traits which distinguish it from all other forms of Ilex. Plants of this variety exhibit a moderate rate of growth, develop a densely branched narrow to moderately broad conical form of compact size, possess small to medium sized dark green spiny leaves, produce an abundance of bright red fruit well displayed on wood of the previous season's growth, and are outstanding for their exceptionally high level of winter hardiness. The plants have an upright, rather narrow conical habit with nine-year field-grown plants attaining a size of 1.75 to 2.5 m in height and 1.5 m in width under conditions of minimal fertilization and minimal supplemental irrigation.

The plants bear annual abundant crops of beautiful red berries which are attractively displayed among the semi-glossy dark green, spiny leaves, which do not become lighter green when bearing a heavy crop of fruit as do the leaves of many varieties of Ilex.  A plant in the mature phase (flowering) can be achieved in one year from a rooted cutting taken from a plant in the mature phase and the subsequent annual growth rate ranges from 20-30 cms for plants grown in full sun, varying as indicated depending on climatic conditions and soil type or type of artificial growing medium utilized and cultural practices such as fertilization and irrigation.

Last Updated: 08/29/2005