Holly BushesA Grower's Guide to Holly
Holly Types

English Holly

English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is the glossy, richly spined holly of European gardens and Christmas tradition, prized for its lustrous leaves — many boldly variegated in silver or gold.

The glossy holly of tradition

Ilex aquifolium carries the shiniest, most sharply spined leaves of the common hollies, and its many variegated forms — silver- and gold-margined — are as valued for foliage as for fruit. It makes a handsome specimen, a formal hedge, or a source of superb cut greenery.

Most English hollies are male or female, so a pollinator is needed for berries; a few, such as J.C. van Tol, are self-fertile and fruit on their own.

Quick tip: variegated English hollies keep their brightest color in full sun; too much shade dulls the markings and thins the plant.

Growing English holly

It prefers a mild, moist climate (USDA zones 6 to 9), full sun to light shade, and fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It clips well but should be pruned in late winter to preserve the coming season's berries on female plants.

Popular english holly

The 7 hollies below are among the most widely grown and dependable in this group. Each profile covers foliage, sex and pollination, berries, size, hardiness, and how to grow it well.