In 1989, Mitch Magee found an openly pollinated seedling of the Mary Nell Holly on his farm in Poplarville, Mississippi and this new variety of Holly was given the name Liberty Holly. This new variety has a larger leaf than the Mary Nell and it also has more spines, which average between 15-20 around the edge of the leaf. The Liberty Holly also has a very dense, upright and pyramidal shape which is great for privacy screens in areas that are very narrow or even as solitary specimens. In the spring Liberty Hollies produce small creamy white flowers and in the winter orange-red berries will appear. They can adapt to many soil types from sand to clay and from moist to very dry. Liberty Hollies also grown well in full sun to part shade. Their disease and pest resistance are comparable to Mary Nell Hollies.