Holly: Everything about planting & caring for Ilex

The holly, also known as ilex, is especially popular during the Christmas season. We introduce the most popular Ilex varieties, reveal whether Ilex is poisonous and give tips on planting and caring for them.

Holly (ilex) bring color to the garden even in winter, when many trees and bushes are long bare. With their glossy leaves and red, yellow, black, and rarely also brown or green fruits, holly are popular ornamental shrubs and hedge plants. Holly branches are a popular Christmas decoration in the United States and here too. However, centuries before this custom, the druids valued the ilex as a sacred plant and the Romans assigned it to the god Saturn and gave its branches away on his holiday, the Saturnalia. According to traditional folklore, a living ilex protects the house and yard from lightning and should therefore not be cut down too radically.

Holly: origin and characteristics

Holly (ilex) are the only genus in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). There are an estimated 600 species in total worldwide. Holly inhabit all climatic zones on earth, but their biodiversity is greatest in South America and East Asia, where they can still be found at altitudes of up to 2000 meters above sea level. Only four of them are native to Europe, the best known is certainly the European holly (Ilex aquifolium).

Holly are deciduous or evergreen deciduous trees, some of which can grow up to 25 meters high. It is also not uncommon for individuals ilex-Shrubs can get up to 100 years old. The leaves are arranged alternately on the long, often branched shoots. Depending on the species, the leaves are smooth, toothed or thorny at the edges. They are leathery and dark green or green with yellow or white variegation.

Holly: flowering period

Holly are dioecious. This means that a shrub has either only female or only male flowers. These are inconspicuous, small and can be cream-colored, yellow, white, green or almost purple and are located in the leaf axils of last year's shoots. The heyday of the ilex may vary depending on the species, the native Ilex aquifolium blooms between May and June. Depending on the variety, fruits of different colors can develop, but the spherical drupes are usually red.

Is the holly poisonous?

Holly branches and berries are extremely toxic to humans and animals. Poisoning can quickly become very dangerous, especially for small children. Symptoms of poisoning are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and circulatory problems. If part of the plant has been swallowed, plenty of fluids, preferably water or tea, should be consumed immediately and a doctor should be consulted.
The shrub is also extremely poisonous for dogs, cats and the like. The risk of animals nibbling on the plant is low because the leaves are leathery and sometimes prickly. Nevertheless, caution is advised: the holly can be fatal for small animals. For birds, on the other hand, the holly berries are a real feast. In winter they are a favorite food for the little birds.

Summary: toxicity of holly

• Both berries and leaves are highly poisonous
• In the event of symptoms of poisoning, drink plenty of fluids and consult a doctor
• The shrub is particularly dangerous for small children
• The berries are safe for birds and a popular food in winter

Popular varieties and species of holly

The variety within the holly family is very great. So that you can keep track of the up to 600 different species worldwide, we are introducing you to the most interesting species and varieties.

European holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Ilex aquifolium is at home with us, the common or European holly can be found mainly in mixed forests and of course in gardens. In Germany the plant is under nature protection. Popular varieties of this type are:

• 'Alaska': This variety has dark green leaves of a single color and can grow many meters up to a stately tree.
• 'Heckenzwerg': After 10 years, this variety has grown 30 centimeters. It never gets higher than 50 cm. It is ideal for low hedges.
• ‘J. C. van Tol ’: The leaves of this popular variety are not jagged, but have smooth leaf margins. It bears a large number of small, bright red fruits.
• ‘Myrtifolia’: Although this variety does not bear berries, its leaves are all the more conspicuous. These are shiny, wavy and a lot longer than their counterparts.
• ‘Rubricaulis Aurea’: This variety attracts attention with a green leaf center and a wide, cream-colored leaf margin.
• ‘Silver Queen’: The leaves of this special variety are gray-green in the middle with a thin, silvery white leaf margin.

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

This species from Japan is now also popular with us. The special thing about this species is that many varieties dem Boxwood (Buxus) look quite similar. That suits those who, because of the Box tree moth look for an alternative. There are innumerable varieties of Japanese holly. We are now introducing the most beautiful ones to you:

• ‘Convexa’: The leaves of this variety are light green and curved inward. The fruits are green at first and then turn black.
• ‘Dark Green’: This variety looks very similar to boxwood. Only the small, black fruits give it away as ilex.
• ‘Golden Gem’: This variety has golden yellow foliage when it shoots. The leaves later turn greener.
• "Green Hedge": The leaves of this variety are light green with a delicate yellow leaf margin.
• "Green Luster": This variety grows as a dense, hemispherical bush. The leaves are slightly toothed and green. The fruits are purple-green.

Bushy holly (ilex x meserveae)

We especially like this type of holly for hedges. This is due to their upright, conical growth and heights of up to three meters. Some interesting varieties of this type are:

• ‘Blue Euro’: This variety stands out because of its special leaves. These are light green in the middle of the leaf, turn creamy white on the outside, the tips of the leaves shimmer purple.
• ‘Blue Prince’: This variety impresses with its blue-green leaves and particularly dense growth. It does not bear fruit as it is only a male plant. The female counterpart bears the name of the variety "Blue Princess" and bears bright red fruits.
• ‘Hedge Fairy’: This variety convinces with green, strongly serrated leaves and many decorative, red fruits.
• ‘Hedge splendor’: This variety has green, closely serrated leaves and is an eye-catcher in every hedge.
• ‘Hedge Star’: It is not for nothing that this variety is called ‘Heckenstar’, because its densely branched and columnar growth makes it perfect for hedges.

Deciduous Holly (Ilex verticillata)

The special thing about this species is that it loses its leaves in winter. Before that, they turn yellow and orange. Because it is therefore not evergreen, it is rare to find it here. This species originally comes from North America.

Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta)

This species, which originated in China, is widespread in large parts of China and Korea, where it is also grown as an ornamental plant. This is mainly due to the large, decorative fruits.

American holly (Ilex opaca)

This species of holly is native to the south and east of the United States. There it is used as an ornamental plant, but the wood is also used in handicrafts. It is this species that adorns many living rooms and postcards at Christmas time.

Mate bush (Ilex paraguariensis)

Another kind of holly that many don't know they also have ilex is is the mate bush. The stimulating mate tea is made from the leaves of this plant. In large parts of South America, mate is consumed almost every day. The drink is becoming more and more popular here too.

Planting holly

Holly feels comfortable in the garden in a bright spot. This can be a sunny as well as a partially shaded place. The soil should be nutritious and moist. Acid and permeable soil at the site is also recommended. But holly can also grow in pots. Choose a suitable, short-stature variety for this - or a pot of the appropriate size.

Ideal location for planting holly

• Light location
• Moist nutrient-rich soil
• Acid and permeable soil
• Also possible as potted plants

Once you have found the perfect location in the garden, you can plant your holly. We have summarized for you how to proceed in the following instructions.

Step-by-step instructions to get ilex to plant:

1. Best time: in spring after the last frost
2. Water the root ball in a bucket
3. Dig the planting hole: 1.5 times as wide and deep as the root ball
4. In the excavation compost or fertilizer with organic long-term effects like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer interfere
5. Mix in calcareous or clayey soil with a third of sand and a third of potting soil
6. For plants from containers: Lightly prick the roots with a spade or your hands to encourage branching. In the case of bale goods, the bale cloth or open the wire basket generously at the root neck
7. Insert the plant so deep that the root neck (transition from root to shoot) is above the ground
8. Fill the planting hole with soil and step on it with your feet
9. In warm weather and little rain: Model a pouring rim out of earth and cut a plant
10. Water well
11. Plant spacing for hedges: 4 - 8 plants per meter

Grooming the holly

The nice thing about holly is that once they are planted, they require little maintenance and you can enjoy them for many years to come. Usually, you don't need to water the evergreen shrub regularly. Only potted plants need regular watering. You should definitely avoid waterlogging. Permanently damp roots lead to root rot. The irrigation water should also be as low in lime as possible, because the holly likes it to be slightly acidic.

Tip: Wear gloves for all work on your holly. This will protect you from prickly leaves.

Cut holly

Holly doesn't need regular pruning. In general, however, the plants are very easy on pruning and cope very well with the pruning in spring or summer. This can be, for example, a topiary in topiary trees or hedges, or to thin out plants that are too dense. Cut carefully and not too much at once, as holly grows very slowly and it can take a long time for the shrub to regain its original shape.

How do you cut holly?

• Best time: spring or late summer
• Very cut compatible
• Topiary for hedges or topiary trees, pruning or thinning
• Cut carefully, grows slowly

Fertilize holly

When fertilizing your ilex you should consider two things: The shrub likes acidic soil, so low-lime fertilization is optimal. In addition, the fertilization should be nitrogen-stressed. It is also sufficient for the holly if it is provided with fertilizer once a year. The best time to do this is in spring. Use an organic one for this Long-term fertilizer or Horse manure, Horn shavings or sour Bokashi. Our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer provides the evergreen plant with long-term and gentle supply of all important nutrients without over-fertilizing it.

Holly propagate

Two methods have proven effective for propagating holly: sinkers or cuttings. We briefly present both methods to you here.

Holly propagate by lowering:

• In spring or late autumn
• Select a healthy shoot and lower it to the earth
• Where it touches the earth, remove the leaves
• Now the shoot is buried in the ground
• The tip of the shoot must look out of the ground
• In addition, the buried shoot can be fixed with wire or a stone
• If in autumn or have formed roots in the spring, the sinker is separated from the mother plant
• The new shoot is dug up and planted in a new place

Holly propagate by cuttings:

• Optimal time in July / August, but possible until the onset of frost
• Use of shoot tips as young as possible or twigs on old plants that grow as close to the ground as possible
• Remove all but the upper leaves or cut them in half
• Place in a water-draining container with a nutrient-poor, airy substrate for cuttings
• Press on and pour on generously
• Ideal conditions prevail in one Mini greenhouse
• Install in a bright place
• Ventilate and humidify regularly

Hibernate holly

Hibernating holly is child's play, because the vast majority of holly species are hardy and can survive winter in the garden without special protection. Only very young plants or special species need winter protection. For example, a fleece or fir branches are suitable for this. Container plants should be overwintered in a light and frost-free place. This can be, for example, an unheated winter garden or a bright hallway.

Attention risk of confusion: Often the holly is mixed with the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) mistaken. If you discover yellow flowers and dark purple berries on your supposed holly, it is sure to be an Oregon grape.

While the holly can overwinter in the garden without protection, other plants require care in winter as well. You can find out more about the garden in winter in our article on Gardening in December.