Holm Oak

Soils

Accepts all soil types so long as they drain well.

Location

Likes warmth and can be planted in most of the United Kingdom except for the coldest inland locations.

Annual Growth Rate

Growth rate approximately 30cm per annum

pH TOLERANCE

Grows in slightly acid through to alkaline soils

Root Structure

Deep root system

Potential

Particularly valuable evergreen for planting in coastal areas due to its tolerance of salt and wind. Excellent plant for formal hedges and topiary.

Annual Trimming

Prune hedges twice. Topiary as many times as required.

Characteristics

Can be maintained as a very dense evergreen hedge/screen. The foliage of holm oak can prove difficult to penetrate.

The holm oak is a Mediterranean and south-western Europe native plants. Holm oak’s acceptance of regular pruning and trimmings make it an ideal plant for using as hedges or training into topiary specimens.

The evergreen leaves of the holm oak are not consistent in shape and can varying from oval to narrow and tapering, some smooth and some prickly. They are glossy dark green on top with light-grey undersides. the young new foliage appears white in colour and yellow catkins appear in spring.

The bark of holm oak is finely grooved and black in colour.