Ilex aquifolium
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-leks a-kwee-FOH-lee-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
English holly is an ornamental tree or tall hedge in the Aquifoliaceae family. It has glossy green leaves and thorns. It is effective as a specimen plant, grouped as a tall hedge or foundation planting. It dislikes high temperatures and high humidity so use only in protected locations. Protect from cold winter winds. You need to plant male and female plants to produce berries that provide color and fall interest. It tolerates air pollution. Prune in the winter as needed to maintain shape. It likes partial shade especially in hot summers and will not tolerate poor drainage
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can be challenging to grow in the south because it dislikes hot summers and cold winters.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aquifodina'
- 'Argentea'
- 'Britebush'
- 'Crinkle Variegated'
- 'Dapper'
- 'Ferox Argentena'
- 'Ivory'
- 'Marginata'
- 'Moonbeam'
- 'Zelta's Elite'
- 'Aquifodina'
- 'Aquifodina', 'Argentea', 'Britebush', 'Crinkle Variegated', 'Dapper', 'Ferox Argentena', 'Ivory', 'Marginata', 'Moonbeam', 'Zelta's Elite'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aquifodina'
- 'Argentea'
- 'Britebush'
- 'Crinkle Variegated'
- 'Dapper'
- 'Ferox Argentena'
- 'Ivory'
- 'Marginata'
- 'Moonbeam'
- 'Zelta's Elite'
- 'Aquifodina'
- 'Aquifodina', 'Argentea', 'Britebush', 'Crinkle Variegated', 'Dapper', 'Ferox Argentena', 'Ivory', 'Marginata', 'Moonbeam', 'Zelta's Elite'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ilex
- Species:
- aquifolium
- Family:
- Aquifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, northern Africa, western Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Red, yellow, or orange berries (drupes) 1/4 inch diameter that ripen in fall, persist into winter and are attractive to birds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant greenish-white fragrant flowers. Need to plant male and female plants.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Prickly
- Slippery
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green 1-3 in. alternate, simple, glossy, dark green wavy leaves with spines
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Spines/Thorns
