Ilex aquifolium 'Alaska' 12Ltr pot

Ilex aquifolium 'Alaska' – Holly 'Alaska' – 12 Litre Pot

Few plants capture the spirit of a British winter quite like holly, and 'Alaska' is one of the most dependable forms you can grow. Its glossy, deep green, spiny leaves provide rich colour and structure all year, while in autumn and winter the branches are studded with clusters of bright red berries. A female selection, 'Alaska' is prized for fruiting freely even while young, so there's no long wait for that festive display.

It naturally forms a neat, narrowly conical shape, making it a handsome specimen for a lawn or border, a striking piece of topiary, or a dense, secure evergreen hedge that deters unwanted visitors. 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 is happy in full sun or partial shade. It copes with both exposed and sheltered positions, making it a reliable choice for coastal gardens, and its spring flowers are valued by pollinators while the berries provide winter food for birds. The berries are ornamental and should not be eaten by people or pets, and gloves are advisable when handling the prickly foliage. A male holly planted nearby will help ensure the heaviest crops of fruit.

Plant from autumn to spring and water well through its first year. Free-standing specimens need little pruning beyond removing any misplaced shoots, while hedges and topiary can be trimmed in early spring. Growth is slow and steady, eventually reaching 4–8m in height with a spread of 2.5–4m if left unclipped.

Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.