English holly

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; tolerates deeper shade but becomes less dense and produces fewer berries.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, keeping the root zone moist but not saturated. Established trees tolerate short dry spells; water during prolonged drought.

Soil

Moist, well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid waterlogged ground and very dry, shallow chalk soils.

Height

30-50 ft (9-15 m)

Spread

15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m)

Flowers

Small white flowers in late spring to early summer; female plants can carry red berries from autumn into winter.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, dark green, leathery leaves with wavy, often sharply spined margins. Upper branches on mature trees may have nearly spineless leaves.

Growth

Slow to moderate.

Care needed

Medium

• Water deeply during dry spells for the first two growing seasons.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or the soil is poor; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• For berries, plant a compatible male nearby unless one already grows within pollinating distance.
• Choose a position sheltered from drying winter winds, especially near the colder end of its range.
• Remove unwanted seedlings promptly where birds spread the berries.

Pruning. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter or early spring. Lightly clip hedges in late spring or early summer, checking for nesting birds first; frequent clipping reduces berry production.

Late winter

Remove damaged branches and make any necessary structural cuts.

Spring

Plant where winters are severe; water thoroughly and mulch the root zone.

Late spring

Check flowering on male and female plants if berry production has been poor.

Early summer

Lightly clip hedges after checking for active bird nests.

Summer

Water young plants during dry weather and inspect leaves and stems for scale insects.

Autumn

Plant in mild climates while the soil is moist, and remove unwanted seedlings.

Winter

Check young trees after storms and gently brush off heavy snow that bends branches.

• Grow as a dense evergreen boundary hedge where there is space for its width.
• Use as a dark backdrop to pale hellebores, snowdrops and spring bulbs.
• Train into clipped cones or other simple topiary forms for formal gardens.
• Plant as a specimen tree in a large lawn or woodland-edge garden where it is not invasive.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, English country, Topiary garden, Woodland, Native hedgerow and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Snowdrops, Cyclamen, Japanese skimmia, Common dogwood and Hart's-tongue fern.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects. Dense growth offers birds shelter and nesting sites, and the berries feed birds in autumn and winter; those birds also disperse seeds into surrounding land.

• Holly leaf miner causes pale blotches in leaves. Established trees usually need no treatment; remove badly affected fallen leaves and tolerate minor cosmetic damage.
• Scale insects can cause sticky honeydew and black sooty mould. Prune heavily infested shoots and use a labelled horticultural oil when appropriate, avoiding hot weather.
• Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot and branch dieback. Improve drainage before planting and do not keep the root zone saturated.
• Few or no berries usually result from a missing compatible male, heavy shade or repeated clipping. Check pollination, improve light where practical and leave flowering shoots untrimmed.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses if eaten. Berries and leaves contain compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; poisoning is usually gastrointestinal rather than life-threatening, but large amounts warrant urgent medical or veterinary advice. Spiny leaves can also injure the mouth.

Where it spreads. Invasive in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, especially western Washington and Oregon, and in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It also escapes into bushland in southeastern Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania. Birds spread its seeds into woodland; check local planting guidance and restrictions.

• American holly (Ilex opaca)

  Leaves are usually duller, less glossy and flatter than English holly leaves, with less strongly rippled margins.

• False holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus)

  Leaves grow in opposite pairs rather than alternately along the stem; fragrant white flowers usually appear in autumn.

• Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

  Each leaf is divided into several spiny leaflets; flowers are yellow and the berries are blue-black rather than red.

Ilex is the Latin name for holm oak, whose foliage resembles holly, and aquifolium refers to the sharp-pointed leaves.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer to preserve a plant's sex and other characteristics. Seed is slow and irregular to germinate, often taking 18 months or longer, and seedlings may differ from the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Ilex aquifolium

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Canada, Hawaii and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain and Greece.

Measured

Soil pH 4.5 to 5. Average height 745 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.