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    ILEX
    ILEX
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    ILEX ILEX ILEX ILEX
    >

    ILEX

    Commonly known as Highclere holly

    Another member of the Christmas trinity with Ivy and Fir.

    Another essential for the garden, either as a specimen, a backdrop to other plantings or even in a container for a few sprigs for a seasonal arrangement.

    Gaudy golds, less showy silvers and subtle dark greens and berries in red, black, occasionally white, orange or yellow.

    Genus of over 400 species of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and, rarely, climbers, from woodland in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions.

    The native, I. aquifolium is a small tree of mysticism and magic, a protector of the house from evil and lightning and provider of timber for the finest woodwork.

     

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Pests & Diseases
      Scale insects, leaf miners.
    • Place of origin
      Garden origin. (I. aquifolium x I. perado)
    • Evergreen
      Elliptic-lance-shaped, sparsely spine-toothed leaves to 11cm (4½in) long.
    • Coastal / windswept
      Slightly back from the sea with more shelter
    • Fully hardy
    • Gold variegated
    • Height
      12m (39ft)
    • Spread
      5m (16ft)
    • Tree
      Erect tree or shrub. Yellow-streaked green stems. Produces few berries.
    • Hardy - very cold winter
      Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F)
    • Autumn Seasonal Interest
    • Spring Seasonal Interest
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Winter Seasonal Interest
    • Fertile moist well-drained soil
    • Full sun
      For best leaf colour.
    • Partial shade
    • Broadly columnar
    • Mature Size
      12m (39ft)
      		 tree - guide for size not form Average Person
        5m (16ft)
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    Cold weather damage to evergreen plants
    Ilex - Growing Guide
    Trees - Care Guide
    View Customers Also Bought
    ILEX x altaclerensis 'Golden King'

    ILEX x altaclerensis 'Golden King'

    Holly
    Available from £16.00
    view
    ILEX aquifolium 'Bacciflava'

    ILEX aquifolium 'Bacciflava'

    Yellow-fruited holly
    Available from £16.00
    view
    ILEX x meserveae 'Blue Princess'

    ILEX x meserveae 'Blue Princess'

    Blue holly
    Available from £16.00
    view
    ILEX aquifolium 'Ferox-Argentea'

    ILEX aquifolium 'Ferox-Argentea'

    Silver hedgehog-holly
    Available from £16.00
    view

    varieties
    ILEX x altaclerensis 'Camelliifolia'
    Highclere holly
    Pyramidical habit with purple stems and scarlet fruit. Leaves have few spines and are a glossy dark shiny green
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ILEX x altaclerensis 'Hodginsii'
    Vigorous and small red berries
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    ILEX x altaclerensis 'Wilsonii'
    Compact grower, scarlet berries
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    Estimated availability autumn 2026 Any time SEPT-DEC
    Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ILEX aquifolium
    Common holly, English holly
     
    Pot grown
    £12.00
    ILEX aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata'
    Female, silver variegated
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    Available again from June 2026
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ILEX aquifolium 'Bacciflava'
    Female. Yellow berries
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ILEX corallina
    (syn. centrochinensis) - slender pointed and serrated leaves with small red fruits
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ILEX x meserveae 'Blue Princess'
    Blue holly
    Female. Free- berrying form of the above
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00
    Available again from June 2026
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ILEX opaca
    American holly
    Very spiny leaves and red fruits
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.00

    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
    A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Afterplant - Grow Your Own
    AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
    1ltr
    £8.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
    All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants. Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
    1 ltr
    £8.50
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