What is a holly bush shrub?

Holly shrubs are plants from the Ilex, or holly, genus, which contains over 400 different species. Holly shrubs are usually known for their prickly, dark green leaves and bright red drupes, which are only produced by female plants. The drupes are commonly called berries.

There are many different types of holly plants, ranging in size from 18 inches to 60 feet. They are either deciduous or evergreen, meaning they either lose their leaves seasonally or keep them all year. Different types of holly plants can be found globally in temperate and subtropical areas although the most diverse growth happens in the Americas and in Southeast Asia.