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Common Holly Ilex aquifolium

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3L pot / 60-80cm £12.30 £11.16 £9.96 £8.76

British Grown – The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more

Product Description

ILEX AQUIFOLIUM – Common Holly

Characteristics

Often associated with Christmas decorations, holly is one of Britain's few native evergreen trees. Its distinctive spiny leaves protect birds from predators while allowing them to feed on its bright red berries.

Left untrimmed, a mature holly tree will grow to 20m (65ft), although many are much smaller and more shrub-like.  The dense foliage of spiky protective leaves and its easily trimmed shape means that holly lends itself perfectly to creating evergreen hedges.

Where to grow

It is a truly hardy tree, capable of surviving in most conditions except where it is extremely wet. Large circular groves of holly trees tend to form in woodland as they cast dense shade and will spread by layering.

Did you know?

Most hollies are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. The pink-white flowers appear in May and pollination is generally carried out by bees and other insects. The berries emerge around November but only on the female plant.


 

 

Features

Mature Height

Large - 15-20 metres

Spread

10-15metres

Shape / Habit

Pyramidal
Shrub Multi-Stem

Growth Rate

Slow

Soil Type

Clay
Chalk/Limestone
Light sandy

Sun Levels

All Sun levels

Difficulty / Hard to Grow

Medium

Evergreen / Deciduous

Evergreen

Leaf Colour

Green

Foliage

Dense

Flower Colour

White

Flowering Type

Single

Flowering Month

May
June

Berries / Fruit Colour

Red

Uses

Screening
Parkland Tree
Garden Tree
Small garden Tree
City/Urban Sites
Country/Farmland
Encourages wildlife
Bird Food
Sound Barrier
Flower Arranging

Hedging

Evergreen Hedge
Berrying Hedge

Thorny

Yes

Native / Naturalised

Native

Season

Autumn
Winter
Spring

Other Features

Good at altitude

Aftercare

Pruning Ilex Aquifolium

Ilex aquifolium can be pruned to be kept as a hedge, or left to develop into a large tree. When establishing, prune vigorous shoots that are going to spoil the balance and outline. It is especially important to prune competing leaders if you want a tree with good symmetry.

Ilex aquifolium can tolerate hard pruning, however clipping annually is the best way to grow a dense evergreen screen.

What time of year should I prune? Pruning is best done in summer

 

For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.

Watering

The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.

Weed Control

One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital that for at least 3 years after planting your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass.

  1. Mulch mats are an effective way to stop grass and weeds, although they will require a careful eye to make sure they continue to work. After clearing the ground around the tree, firmly fit the mat by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. Be careful not to allow the woodchip to touch the stem as it can cause rot.
  2. Weed killer is very effective, however it is harmful to the environment. Organic weed killers usually do not kill roots. Weed killer needs to be applied each year for the first 3 years, preferably when the tree is dormant, or just once before applying a mulch mat.
  3. Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.

Staking

If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.

Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.

  • 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
  • 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
  • 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.

Ties

Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.

Protection from Animal Damage

Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.

Are the delivery costs the same no matter how many plants I order?

Yes the delivery costs stay the same no matter how many plants you have on your order. They are worked out based on your distance from our nursery and can be found here.

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