Needs substantial water during establishment, then relatively drought tolerant. Nodules on the roots of the plant, with the help of Rhizobium bacteria, fix nitrogen. Grow as a groundcover. Can be used as a turf replacement and can be mowed. Not good for heavy traffic. Tends not to have good cover during late fall through early spring.

This forms clumps but does not form large clones, which means it will not take over a garden. Wildflower garden especially toward the back where height won't be an issue.

This naturally occurring hybrid has become a landscaping favorite. Ilex x attenuata is a natural hybrid originally found growing in the wild in Florida.    It is a cross between I. cassine (dahoon) and I. opaca (American holly).  To the best of our knowledge, this holly was documented once in 1924, in Walton County.  It may no longer occur in nature. Specimen plant. Plant where its shiny green foliage and bright red fruits can be seen.

This species is broadly planted. It is one of the few native trees that is widely available. Noted for its twisty form, tolerance of root damage, and longevity. The form of this tree varies enormously with light conditions.  Open grown trees are sometimes shaped like inverted bowls and there is much horizontal growth.  Shade grown trees tend to grow straight toward the best light source and can either be tall and straight, or if the light is nor directly above, be very twisty. Noted for being a good epiphyte host. Throughout much of its range its branches are hosts to many epiphytic plants, especially bromeliads (such as ball moss, Tillandsia recurvata and Spanish moss, T. usneoides), ferns (such as resurrection fern, Pleopeltis polypodioides  and orchids including butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis). Large specimen tree or shade tree.

Makes a good border plant that becomes a pink haze in the fall.