Holly

Soils

Holly like all moist, well drained nutritious soils. Heavily clayed soil can cause frost damage.

Location

Holly likes partial shade and sunny positioning. However, full sun is only tolerated as long as the ground is moist.

Annual Growth Rate

Holly are slow growing plants, 10-20cm per year.

pH TOLERANCE

Holly prefers moderately acid through to alkaline pH in soil

Root Structure

Holly has a fleshy, far-reaching, cordate root system.

Potential

Holly hedges are good for wildlife gardens, cottage gardens, city and courtyard gardens.

Annual Trimming

Holly hedges are informal and therefore should be lightly trimmed in the spring to tidy up, removing any leggy branches or deadwood.

Characteristics

Holly is an impressive slow growing bright, prickly-leaved, evergreen hedge

Holly is a slow growing evergreen that makes a good security hedge and screen. Holly also makes a very good wildlife hedge and safe haven.

The bright red berries from holly are loved by our British birds. They appear plentiful on the plant during September and remain on the branches until the spring, or until eaten by the birds, or used by people for their home Christmas decorations.

Small white flowers appear on the branches in May. The leaves are evergreen, shiny dark-green, leathery, thick and prickly and as a hedge provides a valuable, impenetrable security barrier.