Software
Houzz Logo Print
harryshoe

Little Rascal Holly

A few weeks back, this group helped me by suggesting Burford Holly for my landscaping needs. This small holly is supposedly easy to maintain and produces many berries. They claim it needs no pollinator, but mention that berry production is better with one.

I found a Little Rascal Holly at a local nursery yesterday. Yes, I am the one person in the NE who actually browses through nurseries during January. This little guy grows to a small mound of about 2'. It is said to be a great pollinator.

I had never heard of this holly. Does anyone have experience with Little Rascal? Is it a good match for my 4 Burfords?

Comments (12)

  • 17 years ago

    Sorry, but don't know about Little Rascal. I am interested in your Burford variety. What is its mature height and width? I'm looking for a holly that matures at a height of four feet by four/five wide. Someone answered my post by suggesting a holly for a space that gets only a half day's sun so I've been looking for a short one. The holly lists on the internet are huge to search through.

  • 17 years ago

    My needs were as yours: a holly that can be kept short. The Buford matures to only 4' tall and wide.

    In my garden, all of the hollies are in partial shade. They are all growing well with no care.

  • 17 years ago

    Your Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex x Burfordii 'nana)' might suffer some cold damage in your zone 6. They also grow very readily to 6-8 feet, if left unpruned. They fruit quite readily without a pollinator.

  • 17 years ago

    I have been growing a number of Ilex 'Little Rascal' in full to part/sun conditions for a couple of years now and they seem to be staying true to size description. Wonderful little guy with a bronzy/red hint to top growth. They are becoming more open in nature and have suffered in the past from winter burn as well as mites. Although smaller, to 18'h Ilex 'Rock Garden' in my opinion is a much nicer dwarf Ilex. Ilex x Burfordii 'nana' did not survive my winter conditions (no snow cover, high winds). If your interested when the rain stops I'll take a photo so you can see what I mean by open branching.

  • 17 years ago

    I'd love to see a picture of your plants.

  • 17 years ago

    Harry,
    Ilex ÂLittle Rascal Note how the new growth shows a red/bronze coloring that is most noticeable in the winter.
    {{gwi:239872}}
    Ilex ÂLittle Rascal Note that these have been grown under infrequent/light snow conditions but the branches have collapsed under the weight.
    {{gwi:239874}}
    Ilex ÂRock Garden Note the tight branching and in my opinion a more formal shrub. Likely too small for what you are trying to do but you may want to keep it in mind for a different application.
    {{gwi:239875}}

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks for the pictures Runktrun. My application is somewhat formal as I am landscaping the area around a new entryway addition to my home. It is brick with white columns so I though a little formality where the walk reaches the new porch would work.

    I can see an application for Ilex "Rock Garden". Does it came as male and female? You can never have too many hollies. Thanks for the suggestion.

  • 17 years ago

    Please let me know where you purchased your Little Rascal Holly. One of mine died in the drought last year and I would like to replace.

    Thank you.

  • 17 years ago

    Runktrun, I have the opposite experience as you so far. Little Rascal is denser with a nice texture and Rock Garden stays like a little stick, never filling out at all after many years. I wish it would fill out like your plant.

  • 17 years ago

    Sorry I let this get away from me.
    Harry,
    I don't know who the parents are to I 'Rock Garden' but mine does berry although the shrub is so dense they are not very noticeable.
    Stacy,
    I purchased mine locally BUT "Forest Farm" has it listed in their spring 2009 catalog, although I must admit I was unable to find it listed on line but thats not unusual I find their on line site frustrating. You may want to give them a call.
    Loretta,
    Interesting that we seem to have opposite experiences. Do you annually or have you ever sheared your I 'Little Rascal' back I aask this as I am considering shearing mine back by 3-4 inches? I have never sheared or pruned I 'Rock Garden'. kt

  • 3 years ago

    Will Little Rascal holly pollinate Centenial Girl holly?