Ilex × attenuata 'Sunny Foster' is the Gene
Eisenbeiss Holly of the Year
selection for 2006. It is an
outstanding example of an I. × attenuata holly, a hybrid of I.
cassine and I.
opaca that was first
described by Willard Ashe of
Walton County, Florida, in
1924. 'Sunny Foster' is a leaf
mutation of 'Foster No. 2'
that was discovered by William
Kosar at the National Arboretum.
It was named and registered
by Gene Eisenbeiss in 1982.
The unusual foliage is narrow,
about 1¾ inches
(4.4 cm) long and ⅝ inch (1.6 cm)
wide. If grown in full sun,
the leaves are butter yellow.
The plant is a female and bears
bright red berries that contrast
nicely with its yellow leaves.
'Sunny Foster' is slow growing
and makes a good highlight
plant. It normally grows in
a pyramidal shape but can be
used as an unusual topiary.
Sprigs can be cut for bright
leaves in wreaths and other
holiday arrangements. This
holly is hardy only to the
warmest parts of USDA
Hardiness Zone 6.
Ilex
× attenuata 'Sunny Foster'