Holly | Tree Nursery

Holly - Ilex aquifolium

Irish name - Cuileann
Ulster Scots name - Hollin
Holly family - Aquifoliaceae

Characteristics

This woody shrub, when left untrimmed, is capable of growing up to 15m (45ft) in height, but will more often grow to approximately 10m (30ft).
Holly is popular in hedgerows as it is very tolerant of cutting and grazing.
The glossy dark green leaves have a leathery texture and, when the tree is young, have particularly spiny points.
The fragrant flowers have four white petals and are carried in small clusters.
Holly trees are either male or female. To ensure pollination and good fruiting, several holly trees should be planted together since only female trees bear fruit.
Fire will kill holly above ground, but they will usually regenerate from the base.

Season

The berries ripen to scarlet in early winter and may cling to the plant until the next summer.
It flowers in May and June.
The plant may retain leaves for up to four years, but they fall at all times of the year.

Preferred Environment

Holly is found in the shrub layer of woodland. It is, however, capable of forming pure woods or growing in open scrub.
It has a wide tolerance of soil types, being found on clays, peats, shales, sands, gravels and chalk.
Holly will grow in a polluted atmosphere, but may lose all or some of its leaves in winter in such situations.
In the wild, hollies are occasionally found in areas where water stands in winter, but when planting, such waterlogged sites are best avoided.
Severe frost will kill branches open to the sky, and hard frosts in May reduce the berry crop.
It will withstand drought, but young plants will sometimes respond by shedding leaves, which will be replaced the following spring.
Its thick waxy leaves enable holly to resist water loss when the soil is frozen in winter.

Wildlife Associations

Holly has seven identified insects species associated with it, including the holly blue butterfly.
It provides good bird roosting and the berries are important for the thrush, wood pigeon, starling and fieldfare.

Uses

Holly foliage is frequently used for seasonal decorations and wreaths.
The wood has a fine grain and is used as a substitute for boxwood, or when dyed black, in lieu of ebony.

Please remember...

Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).