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Plant profile:
- Botanical name: Ilex aquifolium
- Order: Holly-like (Aquifoliales)
- Family: Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae)
- Genus: holly
- Growth: large shrub, small tree
- Height: 3 to 10 meters
- Foliage: ovate serrated, evergreen
- Flowers: Small tufts in the leaf axes
- Flower color: white
- Flowering period: May to June
- Fruits: Red drupes
particularities
Ilex is by nature dioecious. That is, you need a female and a male plant for fertilization.
Since the holly is evergreen, it gives the winter garden a beautiful touch. The ripe berries are an extremely attractive accent to the dark foliage and snow.
The leaves have hard, very pointed teeth on the edge of the leaf. These ensure that the ilex is spared from predators. These are often missing in the upper area because the plant does not need protection there.
origin
Ilex grows wild all over Europe and Western Asia. You will find the holly here in particular in sparse beech and mixed deciduous forests. In Germany the common holly is under nature protection.
Location and soil
In accordance with its natural occurrence, Ilex prefers shady, shady locations and slightly acidic soil. The robust plant also thrives in sunny locations, provided the substrate is sufficiently moist.
Planting and care
Plant the holly preferably in spring. The planting hole should be dug at least twice the size of the root ball, as Ilex is quite sensitive to loss of roots. It is recommended to use the Garden soil with Rhododendron soil to improve.
After setting, cover the bottom with a good layer of bark humus. This keeps the soil evenly moist. At the same time, the mulch layer protects the fine roots that Ilex forms in the upper part of the earth and ensures an acidic soil environment.
The common holly is completely hardy. Winter protection is therefore only necessary in places where there is a risk of drought due to frost.
Watering and fertilizing
Keep the soil evenly moist, as the holly is sensitive to lack of water. If you have covered the ground with bark mulch, you can do without additional fertilization with compost.
Cut back
With a regular cut you can prevent overgrown growth and bring the plant into a pretty shape. The best time for this maintenance measure is June. Preferably use a mechanical one Hedge trimmer,(€ 139.30 at Amazon *) which doesn't hurt the foliage.
Diseases and pests
The larvae of the ilex leaf miner bore their way into the tunnels of the leaves and can cause massive damage to the shrub. Infested parts of the plant, which you can recognize by the yellow lines on the upper side of the leaf, should therefore be removed as quickly as possible and disposed of with household waste.
Tips
In gardens where small children play, you should avoid planting ilex because The leaves and flowers of the plant are highly poisonous.