Ilex aquifolium 12Ltr pot

Ilex aquifolium – Common Holly – 12 Litre Pot

Our native holly is one of the most loved and recognisable plants in the British landscape, and it brings that timeless character to any garden. Its dark, glossy green leaves, typically edged with strong spines, provide rich colour and structure all year round, while female plants follow their small white spring flowers with clusters of bright red berries through autumn and winter.

Holder of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, common holly is endlessly versatile. It makes a handsome specimen tree, a superb wildlife hedge, and a dense, prickly boundary that offers privacy, shelter and excellent security. Fully hardy (RHS H6), it grows in chalk, clay, loam or sand of any pH, in moist but well-drained or free-draining soil, and copes with both exposed and sheltered sites in sun or partial shade. As a native, it is especially valuable for wildlife, with spring flowers for pollinators, winter berries for birds and dense cover for nesting. The berries are ornamental only and should not be eaten by people or pets, and gloves are advisable when handling the spiny leaves. As male and female flowers are carried on separate plants, berries appear on pollinated female trees, so planting several together gives the best chance of a good display.

Plant from autumn to spring and water well through the first year. Free-standing trees need little pruning, while hedges can be trimmed in early spring. Slow-growing when young, it will in time exceed 12m in height with a spread of 4–8m if left unclipped.

Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.