Ilex aquifolium Tree

Ilex aquifolium is the UK’s native Holly and thus known as Common Holly. It has easily recognisable glossy dark green leaves that are undulated and spiky. On the underside the leaves are a paler green. It is also known for it’s bright red berries, which more than make up for the insignificant white flowers that precede them.

Holly is a great choice for the garden as it is evergreen and encourages birds that hide among the branches and enjoy eating the berries.

Sprigs of this variety of Holly are used as traditional Christmas decorations. We also offer some cultivated varieties of Holly with variegated foliage.

Ilex aquifolium can accommodate a range of conditions, being suitable for all soil types and able to cope with some shade or exposure to the elements. Expect a height and width of around 7m by 4m in 20 years. Whilst Ilex aquifolium can be grown as a tree or bush, we're delighted to offer this holly in a lovely feathered tree shape.

AKA Common Holly, English Holly, Christmas Holly

• Common name: Common Holly tree
• Height and spread in 20 years: 7m x 4m
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Season of interest: Year round
• Environmental benefits: Native to UK, good for pollinators and birds
• Foliage: Evergreen, glossy and dark green
• Soil: Tolerant of most soil types

Planting Ilex aquifolium Trees

Our pot grown Common Holly trees can be planted at any time of the year and can cope with a range of positions, as long as it is a well draining site. Remove the weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole, then dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and approximately twice as wide.

To help Common Holly trees establish more effectively, especially if you have poor soil, we advise applying root grow by sprinkling in the hole. Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. If your soil is poor, mix 50% of the original soil with 50% high quality compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend using a stake and tie kit and, if your area is prone to rabbits, a rabbit guard too. For further information, visit the help and advice section.

Aftercare Advice for Ilex aquifolium Trees

If you’re planting pot grown Holly in spring, summer or dry weather, water well and regularly for the first few months. Make sure to keep an eye on your young tree and increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If you’re planting in autumn, you may only need to water your tree a little. We also stock a range of irrigation kits, suitable for a variety of planting schemes.

Once planted, it is important to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons.

Pruning Advice for Ilex aquifolium Trees

Native Holly trees do not require a lot of pruning. Simply remove any dead, diseased or awkwardly placed branches from your Ilex tree as and when you see them.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.