Go to homepage

Holly: Caring for and Planting Ilex

Ein einzelner Zweig der Stechpalme (Ilex) mit leuchtend roten Beeren vor einem minimalistischen Hintergrund, der einen dezenten weißen Kreis zeigt.

In this blog post, you will learn all about the versatile holly (Ilex) - an impressive plant that not only shines as a winter decoration, but is also a real eye-catcher as a hedge, boxwood substitute or as a ball and bonsai shape. Whether European, Japanese or American holly: these hardy plants offer a suitable variety for every garden lover.

Interesting facts about the holly

Ilex, also known colloquially as holly, is found in many species worldwide. From the classic European holly to the Japanese variety, there is an enormous diversity that differs in leaf shape, flower, fruit and growth size. Holly is particularly valued for its easy care, winter hardiness and versatility in the garden.

Origin

Holly has a long history and originates from Europe, Asia and North America. Particularly in Japan and the USA, there are special species such as Ilex crenata (Japanese holly) and Ilex verticillata (American winterberry).

Location & soil type

Holly prefers semi-shady to sunny locations and thrives best in humus-rich, well-drained soil. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs.

Growth, appearance & flowering

Holly is characterised by its shiny, usually toothed, spiky leaves and has a compact growth habit. Depending on the species, they flower in spring or summer and produce eye-catching red berries in late autumn, which are pleasing to the eye in the cold season.

Are hollies poisonous?

The berries are an important food source for birds, but the berries and leaves are very poisonous to humans!

Winter magic in a bouquet: festive accents with holly (Ilex)

Holly (Ilex) is a special addition to winter bouquets and floral arrangements. With its glossy, deep green leaves and bright red berries, it creates striking accents that spread a festive atmosphere and at the same time convey a feeling of naturalness and elegance. Ilex is a decorative element not only in bouquets but also in wreaths or arrangements, as the branches have a long shelf life and dry well. Whether as individual branches or in combination with other seasonal plants, holly brings colour, texture and winter magic to any floral arrangement.

We recommend:


Send christmas flowers

Popular types of holly

Nahaufnahme eines dichten Strauchs der Europäischen Stechpalme (Ilex aquifolium) mit glänzend grünen, gezackten Blättern und leuchtend roten Beeren. Die Pflanze vermittelt eine klassische weihnachtliche Atmosphäre.

European holly

Ilex aquifolium, also known as European holly, is the classic species native to Germany and is characterised by its prickly leaves and eye-catching red berries. This evergreen plant often grows in shady woodlands and hedges and is a popular ornamental shrub in gardens and parks. Ilex aquifolium can reach a height of up to 10 metres. Its leathery, glossy leaves are serrated and spiny. The spines serve as protection against predators. The plant is dioecious, which means that there are male and female specimens, with only the female plants bearing the characteristic berries. In addition to its decorative value, holly also plays a role in the ecosystem: it provides protection and habitat for various insect species and contributes to biodiversity. Despite their beauty, however, it should be noted that the berries are poisonous to humans.

Nahaufnahme eines Strauchs der Japanischen Stechpalme (Ilex crenata) mit kleinen, glänzend grünen Blättern und zarten, cremeweißen Blüten. Die dichte Struktur und die filigranen Details verleihen der Pflanze eine elegante Erscheinung.

Japanese holly

Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is a remarkable boxwood substitute that is highly valued for its robust nature and excellent pruning tolerance. This plant is ideal for creating dense, uniform hedges that provide both privacy and aesthetic appeal. Its appearance blends seamlessly into various garden styles, from traditional to modern, and it can be cultivated both indoors and outdoors. Thanks to its small, evergreen leaves that provide a fresh, lively appearance all year round and the dark purple, almost black berries, the Japanese holly is an elegant eye-catcher both in the garden and as a bonsai. Another advantage of the Japanese holly is its ease of care. It is relatively undemanding in terms of soil conditions and can thrive in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to semi-shady areas. These characteristics make it an excellent choice not only for experienced gardeners, but also for bonsai beginners who can benefit from its resilience. The plant only requires regular watering and occasional fertilisation to grow optimally. With a little patience and care, the Japanese holly can thrive and give pleasure for many years, whether as a majestic hedge, artistic bonsai or decorative element in the garden landscape.

Nahaufnahme eines Zweigs der Amerikanischen Stechpalme (Ilex opaca) mit glänzend grünen Blättern und leuchtend roten Beeren. Die warme Beleuchtung hebt die satten Farben hervor und verleiht dem Bild eine stimmungsvolle, naturverbundene Atmosphäre.

American holly

The American holly (Ilex opaca) impresses with its large, oval leaves and bright red berries and is ideal as an impressive specimen or hardy privacy screen in the garden. This versatile plant is mainly native to the eastern and central parts of the USA. It can reach a height of up to 15 metres and forms a dense, pyramid-shaped crown that provides an attractive sight all year round. The leaves of the American holly are evergreen, waxy and have a glossy surface that catches the light in beautiful reflections. The characteristic spiky edges of the leaves not only give the plant a distinctive appearance, but also provide protection from predators. The bright red berries, which appear in autumn and remain until winter, serve as an important food source for birds and other wild animals, just like the other Ilex varieties. The American holly is also easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of soil types as long as they are well-drained. However, it prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils and a location that is at least partially shaded. The plant is resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a durable and robust choice for the garden. Due to its dense growth habit, the American holly is ideal as a screen and windbreak, which also fulfils its function in the cold winter months. As a solitary plant, it attracts everyone's attention and can be used as a central design element in the garden. With its classic beauty and versatility, the American holly brings structure and colour to any landscape design.

Ein winterlicher Strauch der sommergrünen Stechpalme (Ilex verticillata) mit leuchtend roten Beeren auf kahlen Zweigen. Der Hintergrund zeigt eine natürliche, herbstlich-braune Landschaft, die die kräftigen Farben der Beeren hervorhebt.

Deciduous holly

Unlike most other hollies, the deciduous holly (Ilex verticillata) loses its leaves in winter, bringing a special dynamic to the garden. This holly variety, which mainly grows in North America, provides the branches that are often used as decoration in vases or bouquets in autumn and winter. As the branches consist only of bright red berries, they look particularly elegant and attract even more attention without leaves.

Columnar Ilex

The columnar Ilex, also known as Ilex crenata Fastigiata, is characterised by its slender, upright growth and is ideal for narrow hedges or as an accent plant in the garden. Its dense, columnar shape makes it a popular substitute for boxwood and is particularly suitable for structured garden designs. The columnar lilex is hardy, evergreen and easy to care for, giving an elegant appearance all year round.

Forms and use of holly

Eine dichte Hecke aus buntblättrigen Stechpalmen (Ilex) mit grün-weißen Blättern, die eine geschwungene Grenze in einem gepflegten Garten bildet. Im Hintergrund befinden sich größere Sträucher und Nadelbäume, die eine üppige grüne Kulisse schaffen.

Holly as a hedge

Holly hedges are easy to care for, tolerate pruning and provide a green privacy screen all year round.

Holly in a pot

The smaller species in particular, such as the spoon holly (Ilex crenata) or the mountain holly, are ideal for cultivation in pots or as standard plants.

Holly branches as winter decoration

The red berries and green twigs of holly are very popular during the Advent season and provide a beautiful, natural decoration.

Care tips for holly

Semi-shady to sunny locations are ideal.

Regular watering is necessary, especially during dry periods. However, waterlogging should be avoided.

Light fertilisation in spring is sufficient.

Yes, most holly species are hardy and survive even harsh winters well.

Depending on the desired shape, holly can be cut back in spring and late summer within the permitted period.

Frequently asked questions about holly

Holly is hardier and more resistant to disease, making it the perfect substitute for boxwood.

Depending on the species, they vary from small balls of around 50 cm to trees over 10 metres tall.

Yes, the holly has a deep and stable root system.

Yes, the European holly is native to Germany.

Holly can reach a remarkable age of up to 100 years or even more.

Holly is a real asset to any garden - whether as a hedge, standard or in a pot. Discover the versatility of this robust plant and create a green highlight that will impress in every season!