5x English Holly 15/30cm (P9)

This pack of 5 English Holly plants – Ilex aquifolium, is just the ticket for creating a proper British hedge or adding some evergreen structure to your garden. These young plants, standing at 15-30cm tall, are at the perfect stage for establishing themselves in their new home. English Holly is a classic, with its spiky, glossy dark green leaves that are synonymous with Christmas decorations. As these plants mature, they’ll develop that familiar dense, bushy habit that makes them brilliant for privacy and security.

While they’re still youngsters now, these hollies will eventually grow into substantial shrubs or small trees, potentially reaching 15 metres if left unchecked – but don’t worry, they’re easy enough to keep in check with a bit of pruning. In late spring, you’ll spot small white flowers which, if you’ve got both male and female plants, will develop into those iconic bright red berries come autumn. These berries are a real treat for birds in winter when food is scarce.

Holly is a proper tough cookie, tolerating most soil types and conditions. It’s a native plant, so it’s perfectly at home in our climate and is brilliant for supporting local wildlife. Birds love nesting in its dense foliage, and it’s a food plant for the holly blue butterfly.

Plant your holly in sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. They’re not fussy about soil type but prefer it slightly acidic. Water regularly until established, especially during dry spells. A yearly feed with a general-purpose fertiliser in spring will keep them happy. Prune in winter or early spring to maintain shape and size. Remember, only female plants produce berries, and they need a male nearby for pollination.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres

5x 15/30cm Holly plants supplied in 9cm pots.

 🇬🇧 UK grown by ourselves at our nursery in Euxton, Lancashire.