Heartwood specializes in expert propagation of many different Holly selections, most native to the Mid-Atlantic region. The largest propagator of American Holly in the United States, each year we propagate and grow over 20,000 American Hollies, the species Heartwood owner Sue Hunter considers the crown jewel of horticulture. ​
 

Holly propagation begins in July, once the new growth has hardened, and continues into late fall or early winter. We do all of our Holly propagation on-site with cutting wood taken on the property. With over 35 years of propagation experience, Heartwood Nursery implements practices that result in high success rates and ensure that your Holly cuttings are grown with the very best care.
 

Heartwood Nursery has introduced and registered the following selections:

​

• Ilex opaca ‘Sundown’ - Holly Society of America 2026 Holly of the Year

• Ilex verticillata ‘Elfman’

• Ilex verticillata ‘Mary Jo’

• Ilex opaca ‘Liberty Belle’

• Ilex opaca ‘Uncle Sam’

• Ilex opaca ‘Forest Totem’

 

They were selected for outstanding characteristics such as growth habit, berry set and color, leaf shape, and consistent performance over many years.
 

Heartwood Nursery owner Sue Hunter has been honored with the National William F. Kosar Award from the Holly Society of America. This award is given to “an outstanding plantsman for contributions to the hybridization, evaluation, selection, and introduction of hollies” who “has excelled in breeding, propagating, and collecting hollies.” Learn more at Holly Society of America awards.​