Holly Hedging Guide

Holly or Ilex, is a genus made of 400-600 species including both evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and climbing plants. Native to the UK and across Europe, its natural presence can be found in woodland and hedgerows, especially in oak and beech woodland. Their status as a garden feature is becoming more and more popular in gardens across the country for its ornamental value, practical characteristics and wildlife interest.

The attractive, evergreen foliage of the traditional Holly hedge plants (Ilex aquifolium) we supply, make striking hedges that provide constant cover throughout the year. Their distinctive appearance can be easily identified by their prickly, glossy green leaves that hold contrasting colours as their undersides show lighter tints of green with a soft texture, compared to the smooth, dark shaded top. Their seasonal interest starts in spring as small flowers produce and this showcases white colours and remain throughout summer. Red berries appear in Autumn which linger on the branches throughout winter.

These wonderful features are not only loved by the nation, but also adored by heaps of garden wildlife for their numerous benefits. The thick, evergreen foliage and dense structure of Holly hedge plants create the ideal nesting site, offering shelter and protection as its spiky leaves deter predators and the year round cover contributes to wildlife survival during Winter. The fantastic flowers attract beautiful butterflies, bees and other pollinators, whilst the Autumn berries are favoured amongst a range of British birds and small animals.

With an average annual growth rate of 10-20cm, our Holly hedge plants require little maintenance. This allows you to enjoy the multiple benefits of these fantastic hedging plants without the constant upkeep which other species need. You can go one step further by including a self-irrigation kit to your Holly hedgerow so you can keep your plants healthy from the comfort of your living room.

Within the garden, Holly shrubs can be used to create both informal and formal aesthetics. For an alternate Holly hedge plant, consider the variegated foliage of Silver Holly. Also known as Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’, this cultivar exhibits the same practicalities of English Holly but parades eye-catching leaf colours of dark, glossy green leaves with cream coloured margins.

Native to the UK, both English and Silver Holly looks fantastic as a single species hedge, but bring diversity in the form of unique texture, shape and everlasting colour when collaborated into a mixed hedgerow.

With the abundance of positives that come with Holly hedge plants there comes one small problem. Rabbits have the tendency to damage the main trunk of Holly plants, especially young plants. Don’t worry, this problem can be prevented with our rabbit guards and will only effect gardeners located near woodlands or rabbit populated areas.

So whether you want a practical hedge with screening properties, beautiful foliage, year round cover, seasonal interest or to utilise as an effective addition to a garden design or mixed hedgerow and will thrive in difficult conditions, Holly is the perfect hardy hedge plant for you.