Ilex aquifolium /ˈiːleks/
Common name: Common holly · English holly · European holly
Ilex aquifolium is an evergreen tree or shrub native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia. It has glossy, dark green leaves with wavy, spiny margins and bears bright red drupes on female plants. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental, with hundreds of named cultivars, and is the classic holly of Christmas decoration.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moderate; water young plants regularly
Soil
Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
Hardiness
Zones 7–9
Mature height
About 1,000–2,500 cm (33–82 ft)
Pet safe
No; berries and leaves are toxic to pets
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer are the standard method. Cut a 10-15 cm shoot of the current year's growth with a slight heel, remove the lower leaves, and insert into a gritty, moist compost with bottom heat or a cold frame. Seed is possible but slow, needing long stratification, and seedling sex is unpredictable.
Fun facts
- Holly is dioecious: only female trees produce the famous red berries, and only if a male plant is nearby for pollination.
- Leaves on older, taller parts of the tree often lose their spines entirely, while low-hanging leaves stay prickly to deter browsing animals.
- Its white, fine-grained wood is prized for inlay and engraving, and was used for the white chess pieces in traditional sets.
- The species name aquifolium comes from Latin, meaning "needle-leaved," referring to its spiny foliage.