Holly: everything you need to know about planting & caring for holly

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Holly, also known as Ilex, is particularly popular around Christmas. We present the most popular Ilex varieties, reveal whether Ilex is poisonous and give tips on planting and caring for them.

Holly sprigs with berries
Holly also brings color to the garden during the cold season

holly (ilex) bring color to the garden even in winter, when many trees and bushes have long been bare. With their shiny leaves and red, yellow, black, rarely brown or green fruits, holly is a popular ornamental shrub and hedge plant. Holly sprigs are a popular Christmas decoration in the US and here too. But centuries before this custom, the druids valued the ilex as a sacred plant and the Romans attributed it to the god Saturn and gave its branches as gifts on Saturn's holiday Saturnalia. According to traditional folk belief, a living Ilex protects house and yard from lightning and should therefore not be cut down too radically.

contents

  • Holly: origin and properties
    • Holly: flowering time
    • Is holly poisonous?
  • Popular holly cultivars and species
    • European holly (Ilex aquifolium)
    • Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)
    • Bushy holly (Ilex x meserveae)
    • Deciduous holly (Ilex verticillata)
    • Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta)
    • American holly (Ilex opaca)
    • Mate shrub (Ilex paraguariensis)
  • Plant holly
  • care for holly
    • Cut holly
    • Fertilize holly
  • Propagating holly
    • Overwinter holly

Holly: origin and properties

holly (ilex) form the only genus in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). There are an estimated 600 species worldwide. Holly trees inhabit all climate 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 is a deciduous or evergreen deciduous tree that can grow up to 25 meters high. It is also not uncommon when individual ilex- Shrubs 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 time

Holly are dioecious. This means that a shrub bears either only female or only male flowers. These are inconspicuous, small and can be cream, yellow, white, green or almost violet and are located in the leaf axils of last year's shoots. The heyday of ilex may vary by 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.

Bird perched on holly bush
A feast for birds, poisonous for humans and animals: holly berries [Photo: Bob Pool/ Shutterstock.com]

Is holly poisonous?

Holly sprigs and berries are highly 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 taken immediately and a doctor must be consulted.
The shrub is also extremely poisonous for dogs, cats and the like. However, the risk of animals nibbling on the plant is low because the leaves are leathery and sometimes prickly. Nevertheless, caution is advised: holly can be deadly for small animals. For birds, on the other hand, the holly berries are a real feast. In winter they are a treat for the little birdies.

Summary: Toxicity of holly

  • Both berries and leaves are highly poisonous
  • In case of poisoning, drink plenty of fluids and consult a doctor
  • The shrub is especially dangerous for small children
  • The berries are harmless to birds and are popular food in winter

Popular holly cultivars and species

The diversity within the holly family is very great. To give you an overview of the up to 600 different species worldwide, we present the most interesting species and varieties.

Holly variety Silver Queen
The 'Silver Queen' variety has particularly beautiful leaves [Photo: BarthPhotography/ Shutterstock.com]

European holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Ilex aquifolium is native to us, you will find the common or European holly, especially in mixed forests and of course in gardens. In Germany, the plant is under nature protection. Popular varieties of this species are:

  • 'Alaska': This cultivar has unicolored dark green leaves and can grow many meters into a stately tree.
  • 'hedge dwarf': After 10 years, this variety is 30 centimeters tall. 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 serrated but have smooth leaf margins. It bears a multitude of small, bright red fruits.
  • 'Myrtifolia': Although this variety does not bear any berries, its leaves are all the more conspicuous. These are shiny, wavy and a lot longer than their conspecifics.
  • ‘Rubricaulis Aurea’: With a green leaf center and a wide, cream-colored leaf margin, this variety stands out.
  • 'Silver Queen': Gray-green in the center with a thin, silvery-white leaf margin are the leaves of this particular variety.

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

This species, which originated in Japan, is now also popular with us. The special thing about this species is that many varieties dem boxwood (boxy) look quite similar. This suits those who, because of the box tree moth look for an alternative. There are countless varieties of Japanese holly. We now present the most beautiful ones:

  • ‘Convexa’: The leaves of this variety are light green and curled inward. The fruits are green at first and then turn black.
  • 'Dark Green': This variety looks confusingly similar to boxwood. Only the small, black fruits reveal them as ilex.
  • 'Golden Gem': This variety has golden-yellow foliage when it buds. Later the leaves turn greener.
  • 'Green Hedge': The leaves of this variety are light green with a delicate yellow leaf edge.
  • 'Green Luster': This variety grows as a dense, hemispherical bush. The leaves are slightly toothed and green. The fruits are purple-green.
Japanese holly
Japanese holly leaves are almost indistinguishable from boxwood [Photo: Peter Turner Photography/ Shutterstock.com]

Bushy holly (ilex x meserveae)

This type of holly is particularly popular with us for hedges. This is due to their upright, cone-shaped growth and growth heights of up to three meters. Some interesting varieties of this species are:

  • 'Blue Euro': This variety stands out because of its special leaves. These are light green in the center of the leaf, becoming creamy white on the outside, and the tips of the leaves shimmer purple.
  • 'Blue Prince': This variety impresses with its blue-green leaves and particularly dense growth. It bears no fruit as it is only male plants. The female counterpart bears the cultivar name 'Blue Princess' and bears bright red fruits.
  • 'hedge fairy': This variety convinces with green, strongly jagged leaves and many decorative, red fruits.
  • 'hedge splendor': This variety has green, densely toothed leaves that make every hedge an eye-catcher.
  • 'Hedgestar': This variety is not called Heckenstar for nothing, 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 not evergreen, it is rarely found here. This species originally comes from North America.

Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta)

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

American holly (Ilex opaca)

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

Ilex paraguariensis
From the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis Mate tea is obtained [Photo: yaninaamira/ Shutterstock.com]

mate shrub (Ilex paraguariensis)

Another species of holly that many do not know is also a ilex is, is the mate bush. The stimulating mate tea is made from the leaves of this plant. Mate is drunk almost every day in large parts of South America. The drink is also becoming more and more popular with us.

Plant holly

Holly do well in a bright spot in the garden. This can be either a sunny or a semi-shady place. The soil should be rich in nutrients and moist. Also recommended is acidic and permeable soil at the site. But holly can also grow in pots. Choose a suitable, short-growing variety - or a pot of the appropriate size.

Ideal location for planting holly

  • Bright location
  • Moist nutrient-rich soil
  • Acidic and well-drained soil
  • Also possible as potted plants

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

Young holly plant in bed with hands
Choose a light location with slightly acidic soil for the holly [Photo: ikiru/ Shutterstock.com]

Step-by-step instructions to ilex to plant:

  1. Best time: in the spring after the last frost
  2. Water the root ball in a bucket
  3. Dig a planting hole: 1.5 times as wide and deep as the root ball
  4. In the excavation compost or fertilizer with an organic long-term effect like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer interfere
  5. Mix in calcareous or clayey soil with one third sand and one third potting soil
  6. For container plants: Lightly prick the roots with a spade or your hands to encourage branching. In the case of baled goods, the bale cloth or Open the wire basket generously at the root neck
  7. Plant so deep that the root collar (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 watering rim out of soil and cut the plants
  10. Water well
  11. Planting distance for hedges: 4 - 8 plants per meter

care for holly

The beauty of holly is that once planted, they require little maintenance and can be enjoyed for many years. Usually you do not need to water the evergreen shrub regularly. Only potted plants need regular watering. Waterlogging should definitely be avoided. Persistently moist roots lead to root rot. The irrigation water should also be as low in lime as possible, because holly prefers it to be slightly acidic.

Tip: Wear gloves for any work on your holly. This protects you from prickly leaves.

Cut holly

Holly does not require regular pruning. In general, however, the plants are very tolerant of pruning and cope very well with pruning in spring or summer. This can be, for example, a topiary for topiary or hedges, or to thin out plants that are too dense. Prune carefully and not too much at once, as holly grows very slowly and it can take a long time for the shrub to grow back to its old form.

How do you trim holly?

  • Best time: spring or late summer
  • Very cut compatible
  • Shape cutting for hedges or topiary, pruning or thinning
  • Prune wisely, grows slowly
Ilex clippings
Gloves are essential for cutting holly [Photo: Stuart's Photography/ Shutterstock.com]

Fertilize holly

When fertilizing your ilex You should consider two things: The shrub likes acidic soil, so low-lime fertilization is ideal. In addition, the fertilization should be nitrogen-rich. For the holly it is also sufficient if it is supplied with fertilizer once a year. The best time for this is in spring. Use an organic one for this Fertilizer with a long-term effect or horse manure, horn shavings or sour bokashi. Our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer provides the evergreen plant with all the important nutrients in the long term and gently, without over-fertilizing it.

Propagating holly

There are two proven methods of propagating holly: layering or cuttings. Both methods are briefly presented here.

Propagating holly by sinkers:

  • In spring or late autumn
  • Pick a healthy shoot and lower it to the ground
  • Where this touches the ground, remove the leaves
  • Now dig the shoot into 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 location

Propagating holly by cuttings:

  • Optimal time in July/August, but possible until the onset of frost
  • Use shoot tips of plants that are as young as possible or branches that grow as close to the ground as possible on old plants
  • Remove all but the top leaves or cut in half
  • Place in a water-draining vessel with nutrient-poor, airy cuttings substrate
  • Press and pour generously
  • Ideal conditions prevail in one mini greenhouse
  • Place in a bright place
  • Air and moisten regularly
Holly with berries with snow
Most holly are hardy and do not require frost protection [Photo: ZOLGAP/ Shutterstock.com]

Overwinter holly

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

Attention danger of confusion: Holly is often associated with mahonia (mahonia aquifolium) mistaken. If you discover yellow flowers and dark purple berries on your supposed holly, it is definitely a mahonia.

While holly can be overwintered in the garden without shelter, other plants also require care during the winter. You can find out more about the garden in winter in our article on Gardening in December.