Ilex (holly)

Welcome to the enchanting world of Ilex, an evergreen genus more commonly recognized as holly. Celebrated for its glossy foliage that comes in a variety of hues—from vibrant green to golden yellow and even hints of blue—this plant is a true visual delight. The Ilex is also known for its ability to bear fruit, with the iconic red berries often associated with winter decor. Although the delicate white flowers might be less conspicuous, they add a subtle charm to this versatile and hardy species. Whether you are looking to create a structured hedge or simply wish to add a touch of everlasting green to your garden, the Ilex stands as a testament to enduring beauty.

Ilex ‘Heckenfee’

Ilex ‘Heckenfee’

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30 cm per year

Ilex ‘Heckenstar’

Ilex ‘Heckenstar’

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30 cm per year

Ilex ‘Blue Maid’

Ilex ‘Blue Maid’

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30 cm per year

Ilex ‘Blue Prince’

Ilex ‘Blue Prince’

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30 cm per year

Ilex 'Heckenpracht'

Ilex 'Heckenpracht'

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30cm a year

Ilex aquifolium

Ilex aquifolium

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30cm a year

Ilex aquifolium ‘Alaska’

Ilex aquifolium ‘Alaska’

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Once a year

Growth rate
20-30cm a year

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Buy ilex (holly)

The Ilex genus, commonly known as holly, is a versatile and evergreen group of plants celebrated for its year-round visual appeal and minimal maintenance requirements. With a rich palette of foliage colors ranging from vivid greens to striking yellows, golds, creams, blues, and bronze, these plants are a mainstay in gardens across varying climates and seasons. The unique purple stems add a subtle yet distinctive touch to the landscape, enhancing the visual interest of these robust plants.

Key Features

Evergreen Foliage: Ilex boasts a magnificent display of evergreen leaves, maintaining a lush and vibrant presence in your garden throughout the year. The foliage colors transition beautifully through the seasons, offering a stunning array of hues in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Flowering and Fruit-bearing: This genus is known for its delicate white flowers that bloom from April to August, adding a touch of elegance to the foliage. Following the flowering months, the plants produce attractive berries, with colors transitioning from black in the summer to a striking red in the autumn and winter.
Versatility in Use: Ilex is incredibly adaptable, serving a wide range of gardening needs. Whether you're looking to create a dense hedge, a stand-alone specimen, a block hedge, a border, group plantings, or even a potted feature for a patio or planter, holly fits the bill perfectly.
Growth Habit: The growth form of Ilex varies from upright to bushy, allowing for a multitude of design options within your landscape. Their natural shape and minimal pruning requirements make them a low-maintenance choice for any garden.

Tips

Watering: While Ilex has average water needs, it is not drought resistant. Ensure the soil remains moist, especially during dry spells, to keep your plants healthy and thriving.
Propagation: Propagation is possible via semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings. For best results, take cuttings with care and plant them in well-fertilized soil, allowing only a few buds to remain above the surface for effective spring growth.
Pruning: Ilex generally requires little to no pruning. If you do choose to shape your plants, do so with a gentle hand to maintain their natural form and avoid any unnecessary stress on the plant.
Planting Location: Holly plants are tolerant of various lighting conditions, thriving in full sun, partial shade, and shade. Consider the specific requirements of your chosen Ilex species when selecting the ideal spot in your garden.

By incorporating Ilex into your garden, you can enjoy the enduring beauty and structural elegance that this genus offers. With its rich colors, seasonal berries, and minimal care requirements, Ilex is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a long-lasting and attractive addition to their outdoor spaces.

Types

Embrace the timeless elegance and year-round verdure of holly, a plant whose glossy foliage and graceful form have adorned gardens for centuries. Whether sculpted into topiaries, bordering walkways, or standing proudly as a solitary specimen, each variety of holly brings its unique charm and character. Heijnen Plants offers an exquisite selection, tailored for those who seek to infuse their landscapes with classic beauty and sophistication.

The Ilex crenata 'Convexa', commonly known as Japanese holly, is a delightful evergreen that adds an air of elegance to any garden. Its dense, convex foliage and small, white flowers in June and July offer a stunning visual appeal. This versatile plant is an ideal candidate for topiary or as a low hedge, bringing structured beauty to outdoor spaces with its lush, glossy leaves. Renowned for its adaptability and graceful appearance, Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a cherished addition to Heijnen Plants' exquisite collection.
The Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem', also known as Japanese holly, is a distinctive plant that adds a touch of golden color to any garden. With its small, lustrous leaves edged in vibrant yellow, this variety shines particularly during the flowering months of May and June when it produces delicate white blooms. It is highly regarded for its compact growth habit, making it an excellent choice for formal hedging or ornamental topiary. The Ilex crenata 'Golden Gem' is a luminous addition to Heijnen Plants' selection of premium quality foliage.
The Ilex crenata 'Stokes', also known as Japanese holly, is a refined evergreen that exudes tranquility and sophistication in any garden setting. With its small, glossy green leaves and delicate white flowers that bloom from June to August, it presents a lush, verdant display throughout the summer months. This plant is often favored for topiary or as an elegant hedge, contributing a sense of structure and year-round interest. The Ilex crenata 'Stokes' is a distinguished member of the Heijnen Plants assortment, offering subtle beauty and versatility.

Ideal placement of a Holly

This species thrives in a variety of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade and even full shade, although its flowering and fruiting potential is maximized with greater light exposure. Versatile in its positioning, the plant can be a stunning addition to hedges, borders, or as a solitary feature. It exhibits a preference for areas that provide some protection from harsh winds, which can preserve the integrity of its evergreen foliage. While not requiring excessive moisture, it benefits from consistent watering, especially during dry spells to maintain an average water need.

Planting a Holly

When planting, it's essential to consider the species' adaptability to various lighting conditions, from full sun to shade. Ensure the chosen site accommodates its upright to bushy growth form, allowing enough space for development. This plant thrives in a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. After planting, establish a regular watering schedule to meet its average water needs, especially important during dry spells. For hedges, maintain consistent spacing between individuals to create a seamless barrier. To promote a robust root system and healthy growth, water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture levels without over-saturating the soil.

Pruning a Holly

Ilex specimens require minimal pruning, primarily to maintain shape or remove any dead or damaged branches. For hedges, shaping can be done once a year, ideally in late winter to early spring before the growing season commences. When pruning, ensure to make clean cuts at a slight angle just above a leaf node to encourage healthy new growth. Since this species is evergreen, careful selective pruning will preserve its natural beauty and dense foliage throughout the year.

Watering a Holly

Maintaining adequate moisture for this species is crucial, particularly during its growing season. With an average water need, it is important to ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. In periods of prolonged dryness, increase the frequency of watering to sustain the lush, vibrant foliage that characterizes this evergreen. During the winter, reduce watering as the plant's growth slows and its water requirements diminish. Consistent moisture without over-saturation will support both the development of robust foliage and the production of the plant's characteristic berries.

Fertilising a Holly

For an abundant display of richly colored foliage and berries, it is essential to provide the species with the correct nutrients. Fertilization should be done in early spring to support the new growth phase. An application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer, formulated for evergreens, will help in maintaining the plant's vibrant green and variegated leaves, as well as its fruit production.

It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the correct dosage and to distribute the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the stems and leaves to prevent burn. After applying fertilizer, watering the area can help in dispersing the nutrients into the soil, ensuring the roots receive the nourishment needed for optimal growth and health.

The characteristics of a Holly

These evergreen shrubs are renowned for their glossy, spiny leaves which remain vibrant throughout the year. A lesser-known fact is that Ilex can also serve as an excellent privacy screen due to its dense foliage. Furthermore, they are dioecious, meaning both male and female plants are needed for pollination to produce the characteristic red berries, which are a splendid contrast against the dark green leaves and can add a festive touch to your garden during the winter season.

The ideal variety for you Buy ilex (holly)

The Ilex, with its glossy evergreen leaves and vibrant berries, is a superb addition to any landscape. This versatile plant can serve as an elegant hedge, a striking solitary specimen, or even as topiary art. Its robust nature and year-round appeal make Ilex an exemplary choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience.

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