Ilex × attenuata ‘Fosteri’
Fosteri Hybrid Holly
Of hybrid origin: I. cassine x I. opaca
Narrow, pyramidal, not as dense as most hollies, and finer textured.
Sun, in a moist, well-drained soil. Has considerable heat tolerance.
Makes a good specimen plant, useful for its regular, formal appearance and its typically fine textured foliage, branches.
Alternate, elliptic to oblong-ovate, 1.5 to 3 inches long. Margins with 1 to 8 spines.
Mature bark is a smooth silver gray.
Small, cream white, fragrant. Plant is dioecious.
Drupe, orange-red to red, about .75 inch in diameter.
Cuttings.
This cultivar represents a group of chance seedlings selected by E.E. Foster, including: Foster No.1, 2, 3-6. This is referred to as the Foster Hybrid Group. Cultivars other than 'Fosteri' are also put into this group.
'East Palatka' - bright red fruits, wider leaf spined above the middle.
'Fosteri' - numbers 1-5 exist but mainly 2, 3 are sold. Narrow leaves and abundant fruit.
'Hume' - numbers 2, 4 mainly sold. Nearly spineless with bright red fruit.
