Holly isn’t just for Christmas!
The Common Holly or Ilex aquifolium (meaning sharp foliage) is a familiar sight in the countryside but just as useful in the garden for its all year round foliage, as it is popular for its seasonal bright berries at Christmas. Nearly all hollies are either male or female varieties and both need to be planted to ensure a good crop of berries.
One exception is the self-fertile and almost spineless Ilex ‘J.C. van Tol which produces regular heavy crops of berries. Many varieties however, are grown for their superb evergreen and often gold or silver variegated foliage. Popular varieties include ‘Golden King (female form, despite the name) and Silver Queen (male form, despite the name).
All hollies are fully hardy and will grow in most soils, happy in either sun or shade and, if left untrimmed, will make tall bushy shrubs or small trees. They can be very successfully pruned to keep in shape and will make excellent, impenetrable hedges.
