Holly

Profile

Family

Aquifoliaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

9 m

Spread

5 m

Growth

very slow

Lifespan

200 years

First yield

after 8 years

Hardiness

zone 6–9

Shade tolerance

full shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

3 – 7.5

Synonyms

Ilex

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Poisonous fruits are used as bird food in winter, roasted seeds can serve as a coffee alternative, and the leaves, with effects similar to mate, can be brewed into tea.

Medicinal: The leaves, tea, juice, Bach flower, fruit, and powder possess different healing qualities such as diaphoretic, expectorant, antipyretic, tonic, and antiseptic. They are utilized for treating influenza, rheumatism, catarrh, pleurisy, jaundice, dropsy, and to halt bleeding. The Bach flower promotes love in the heart. The fruit may lead to intense nausea and diarrhea.

Other uses: Bundled branches are utilized for chimney sweeping, rodent deterrence, and making whips. Spineless leaves are used as winter feed for animals. The sturdy, tough, and dense wood is employed in carpentry, woodturning, and for crafting tool handles. Fresh wood can also serve as fuel. Improperly seasoned wood may deform.

Growing

Thrives in various soil types and tolerates different pH levels. Can grow in clay soils and is fairly drought-tolerant. Prefers full sun or dense shade, with seedlings from woodlands being the most shade-tolerant. Can withstand maritime exposure but may lose leaves in winter. Requires a minimum temperature of 12°C in July for optimal fruiting and can tolerate winter temperatures down to -15°C. Vulnerable to severe frosts that can damage young spring growth. Known for its ornamental value with numerous named varieties. Flowers and fruits develop on the previous year's wood. Serves as a good bee plant with fragrant flowers and provides winter food for birds. Does not handle root disturbance well, so it's best to transplant them early with winter protection. Slow-growing even in favorable conditions. Usually dioecious, but hermaphroditic forms exist. Can regenerate from above and below ground after fires. Prone to damage by rabbits. Highly resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seeds should be sown right after they ripen in autumn in a cool environment. They may need up to 18 months to sprout. Stored seeds typically need two winters and one summer before sprouting and should be planted in a cool environment as soon as possible. Scraping, warm stratification, and then cold stratification can speed up germination. Seedlings usually grow slowly and should be repotted when they are big enough to handle. Grow them in partial shade in a cool environment for the first year. They can be transferred to a nursery bed the next year in late spring but should not stay there for more than two years as they dislike being moved. Alternatively, they can stay in their pots for a second season before being planted in their permanent spot in late spring or early summer. Provide a thick layer of mulch and some protection during their first outdoor winter. Take cuttings from nearly mature wood with a heel in August in a shady area in a cool environment. Let them sit for 12 months before repotting. Layering can be done in October and should last for 2 years.

Notable

Special features: Salt (with wind) tolerant; Needs a mild, cool location (e.g. coast, forest, backyard, etc.); Moderate warmth/nitrogen indicator; +hedge. Even the Celts hung the branches around the house/yard in winter/Christmas time to protect against evil: This led to the Christmas tree; H. Potter's magic wand was made of holly; holly was said to be full of nature spirits.

Origin & habitat

Western and Central Europe, from Norway to Germany south of the Mediterranean.

Dry woodlands, former fields, and open areas on sandy soils that are well-drained. Present on various soil types ranging from sand to shale and mudflats.

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