Ilex
Native British Holly - Ilex - is a lush evergreen shrub that will grow into a medium sized tree if left untrimmed. Holly bushes have spiny, glossy green leaves and bright red berries from late autumn to early winter, carried by the female plants. Holly makes a beautiful, low-maintenance hedging plant by itself and also goes very well with either beech or common laurel in a mixed hedge. It is a great plants for attracting wildlife into the garden, especially during winter. The berries are ideal for attracting wildlife and sprigs of holly have always been a popular Christmas decoration. Slow-growing habit makes it suitable for topiary training and it can also be used as a windbreak and burglar deterrent.
Cultivar names aren't always a good guide to the plant's sex. Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen' is a male plant, for example, while Ilex altaclerensis 'Golden King' is female.
The following plants require a pollinator:
- Ilex aquifolium: common holly.
- Ilex aquifolium 'Handsworth New Silver': female.
- Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen': male.
- Ilex altaclerensis: vigorous and frost-hardy species of evergreen plants. Good resistance to pollution.
- Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King': female.
- Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox': quirky variety with spines on the leaf surface.
Self-fertile species include:
- Ilex aquifolium 'JC van Tol': grows to about 4.6m (15ft), with red berries and less prickly leaves than some varieties. The variety 'Golden van Tol' has attractive golden-edged leaves and the young branches are purple.
Growing tips
Buy plants when they're young, as mature plants don't like being transplanted.
Plant in late winter or early spring. Holly can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained soil. It can grow in the sun or shade, but variegated foliage varieties are better in the sun or semi-shade.
Holly plants are low maintenence. Prune in late spring to maintain shape. Trees respond well to hard pruning or even pollarding.
Prune out any green-leaved branches on variegated species.
Problem solver
If the plant produces few or no berries, it's probably because the plant is male. Or it could be a female plant that hasn't been pollinated by a male plant.
A poor show of berries could also be due to cold winds and wet periods during flowering, which deter insects from pollinating the plants.
Occasionally, hollies may suffer from root rot, or phytophthora. If this occurs, remove the plant, burn it and disinfect the soil.
Where to see them
Gardens with impressive collections of holly include:
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Great Torrington
Devon EX38 8PH
Tel: 01805 624067
Website: www.rhs.org.uk
Cultivation:Grow in moist, free-draining, humus-rich soil in full sun to partial shade.
Awards:RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Suggested uses:Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens.
Low Maintenance Plant with: Yulan (Magnolia denudata)
Soil types:Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage:Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH:Acid, Alkaline, Neutral Light:
Full Sun
Aspect:North, South, East, West Exposure:Exposed or Sheltered