Ilex opaca
Toward the beginning of the 20th century, Americans grew more interested in ornamental plants. No longer were showy flowers property of the rich only; people of the middle class began to adorn their gardens with ornamental varieties as well. Nurseries began to sell ornamental plants to meet increasing demands. During this time, Glen Saint Mary Nurseries Company began to propagate ornamental plants such as hollies. H. Harold Hume, the company’s expert botanist and horticulturist, introduced numerous Ilex varieties while working at the nursery, including Baker, Howard, East Palatka, Hume, and Taber. The nursery also propagated the National Holly which was grown at the National Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C. 1
