Natural landscapes including meadows and butterfly gardens. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Purple thistle is a thorny plant - be very careful when handling. , Wildlife, The seeds are rich in oil, an important food source for seed-eating birds. , Habitat, Coastal plain, edges of salt marshes, pinewoods, prairies and disturbed areas. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Thorns Larval host to little metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) and painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies. N

Specimen tree where its sweeping branches and scarlet fall color can be appreciated. Shade tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray wo , Considertions, Low branches are set at 90 degrees to the trunk and spread widely, so does not make a good street or lawn tree. , Wildlife, Seeds are eaten by birds and small-to-medium-sized mammals. , Habitat, Wooded areas, usually sandy, moist to dry. , Did You Know?, Fall color, Hurricane wind resistance Bee pollinated.

While naturally a wetland plant, this species does well across a broad array of cultural conditions. Specimen tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, It's dioecious; so make sure you have at least one male plant in the vicinity to produce berries on the females. , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals. , Habitat, Dome swamps, coastal flatwoods, transitional edges of dome swamps in flatwoods, coastal flatwoods, bay swamps, cutthroat seep. , Did You Know?, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Bees pollinate flowers. Documented bee visitors include  Hylaeus confluens, Augochlorapu

Shade tree. This is a clone former, so it can also be used to provide screening or for an "island" of habitat for wildlife , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Plant where its persistent bur-like fruits (gum balls) will not be underfoot. Also, its resinous leaves will stain cement driveways and car finishes. , Wildlife, Provides cover for birds and other animals. , Habitat, Dry-moist sites. River bottoms, upland hardwood forests, roadsides. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Fall color, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Larval host plant for luna (Actias luna) moths.

This naturally occurring hybrid has become a landscaping favorite. Ilex x attenuata is a natural hybrid originally found growing in the wild in Florid , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Fruits are eaten by birds. , Habitat, Freshwater and brackish marshes. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage Bees visit the flowers, but all plants are female.  This is apparently one of the few hollies where