Also known as common holly, European holly, and Christmas holly this evergreen tree is native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia where it grows in the understory of deciduous forests. It is in the plant family Aquifoliaceae that consists of 400 to 600 species including deciduous trees as well as shrubs, and climbers. The tree grows 30-80′ tall with a pyramidal form and has shiny dark green leathery leaves that are oval and about 2-5 inches long. The young leaves and those on the lower branches bear three to five sharp spines on each side, alternately pointing upward and downward. In spring, clusters of fragrant, small white male and female flowers appear on different trees. Pollinated female flowers give way to red or yellow berries in the fall that are attractive to birds. The genus name, Ilex, was the ancient Latin name for the evergreen, holm oak. The specific epithet, aquifolia, comes from the Latin words acus, meaning needle, and folia, meaning leaf, referring to the spiny nature of the leaves.
Type: Evergreen tree or shrub
Outstanding Feature: Berries, foliage
Form: Pyramidal
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom: Clusters of small white male and female flowers on different trees
Size: 30-80′ H
Light: Sun to partial shade
Soil: Average, consistently moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 7-9 (does not tolerate high heat and humidity)
Care: Prune in winter
Pests and Diseases: Plants are generally healthy but can be damaged by root rot, anthracnose, tar spot, leaf blight or cankers in poorly drained soil.
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Outstanding Selections:
‘Argentea Marginata‘ (female; leaves with creamy white margins)
‘Crinkle Variegated’ (female; leaves with yellow blotch in center)
‘Dapper’ (male; leaves with yellow margins)
‘Ferox Argentea’ (sterile male; very spiny leaves with creamy margins)
‘Marginata Bicolor’ (female; leaves with yellow margins)
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen