Ilex glabra males?

I have several Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' planted--and from what I've read, it seems they're female.
I'm having a difficult time, though, finding a male locally!
Does it need to be an Ilex glabra or will any Ilex do?
(I've asked the girls but they voice no preference. . . and how do I advertise: "3 SGF (Single, Green Females) seeking 1 SGM for fun & fertilization"?)

Anyone have a list of male Ilex glabra cultivars or know if that's even necessary?
I didn't see any berries last year.
Could it be that something ate them, that they're not mature yet or that there's not the right kind of Ilex close enough?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Teresa

Hello Soivos, this article says that the mail flowers are born in clusters and the female are single flowers, I thought this might help you find and identify a male.
http://www.floridata.com/ref/I/ilex_gla.cfm
Josephine.

soivos:

To answer your questions in order:

•A male Ilex glabra would be the best mate, but other Ilex males may work; in either case, they must have overlapping bloom times.

•Advertisement: Introverted inkberry (SGF) seeks Gallant gallberry (SGM) for potential pollination. Likes: bees, fragrance, dull to glossy green attire. Dislikes: dry personalities, basic accommodations.

•For an extensive list of Ilex information, check here:

http://www.hollysocam.org/
http://www.hollysocam.org/flowers.htm

•As for seeing fruit last year, if you didn't have any male Ilex around, you probably had no fruit. The fruit is typically dark (black) so they are not as obvious anyway.

I'd hunt up a good male clone of Ilex glabra to ensure fruiting on whatever types of female(s) you have.

Dirr (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants) lists Nordic® as possibly male. Most named selections are female. Best answer is to observe flowering plants at your garden center, and select ones with male flowers.

Thanks very much--that second link with the close-up of the flowers is great!
I know we have some hollies nearby, but didn't know if they were close enough even if there is a slight chance that other Ilex can serve my purpose.
I'd heard about 'Nordic' but someone at a garden center said that they weren't "100% sure" it was male.
Now at least I have a better idea of what to look for!
Thanks again,
Teresa
p.s. any suggestions for fragrant native Viburnum? I know that's another post. . .

Most all the viburnums smell like something (thus fragrance). To each sniffer its own...

I don't known what native is for you -- but I don't believe any of the native North American species are considered sweetly or spicily fragrant like the more well-known Asian forms.

Mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) has a nice enough scent, and I don't mind blackhaw and rusty blackhaw's aromas (V. prunifolium and V. rufidulum, respectively) too much. Some find the pungency of arrowwood (V. dentatum) offensive.

The northerly species of the cranberrybush and hobblebush (V. trilobum and V. lantanoides) don't grow well here, so I can't offer an opinion for them.

Finally, the related species of V. cassinoides and V. nudum have a light fragrance, but you have to be right up with it to notice.

All are just fabulous in flower, fruit, and fall color, so you must try them regardless.

I added the above notes to the Fragrant Native Shrubs thread here:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/827233/