Holly (Ilex aquifolium) Hedge Plant Description
English Holly hedging (Ilex aquifolium) is a popular hedging plant that looks fantastic all year round, providing some welcome colour and winter coverage during the colder months. Due to its dense growth and prickly foliage, Holly hedges are ideal as an intruder deterrent as well as working as an effective, pollution-resistant windbreak. Throughout the winter, Ilex aquifolium also provides shelter for native birds, who feed on its distinctive orange or red berries. It's important to note however, that Holly berries are considered toxic to pets and people.
An excellent decorative hedge when kept neatly trimmed, Holly works just as well as part of a mixed native evergreen hedge to bring some much-needed winter colour to your garden. Ilex aquifolium is also effective when planted alongside other prickly hedge plants, for an intruder proof hedge.
Holly plants are slow-growing - around 10-15cm per annum - and should be trimmed during the late winter or early spring when the hedge is dormant. Holly hedging prefers full or partial shade and moist soil, and is suitable for exposed sites and seaside gardens.
If you're hoping to keep some Holly branches to use as Christmas decorations, try cutting off a few stems in early to mid-December and keeping them in a bucket of water in a cool place - otherwise, there's a strong chance the birds will get to the berries before you do! Just make sure to lay out some alternative food for the birds to eat.
Hedges Direct typically stocks both Ilex aquifolium and Ilex aquifolium 'Alaska' - which is a hardier and bushier variety - but stock levels are dependent on the season's growth. Take a look at our Holly hedging guide to find out more about this wonderful hedging species.
Premium Products - Minimum Order Quantity of 3
Premium products (indicated by a forklift icon and 'Premium Product' in the product table), require specialist delivery due to their size and weight. For these items a minimum order quantity of 3 applies.
*All premium products are excluded from any promotional discounts.
You’ll see our recommended planting densities for each size and root type listed in the product grid. We suggest that you use these as a guide, taking into consideration how long you’re willing to wait to see your finished hedge. As a rough indication bare roots can be planted at anything from 3 to 7 per metre and cell grown between 4 and 6 - the higher densities here would need to be planted in a double staggered row or zig-zag.
For more information on planting distances please see our
planting density advice section.
English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) generally needs little or no pruning except to remove dead, diseased or damaged shoots, or to remove cross shoots causing congestion. The ideal time for pruning English Holly hedging is during dormancy in late winter or early spring; for prolific berrying however, leave pruning until flowering has occurred and then trim only non-flowering shoots.
Whilst annual maintenance pruning only requires a light touch, English Holly will tolerate being significantly trimmed back if overgrown or too large. However, this kind of hard pruning should only take place in the winter months during the dormant period.
Mulching and feeding after pruning will be beneficial for the plant and help it to recover more quickly from its trim.
Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:
| Packaging Type | Standard Delivery Charge | Minimum Order Values (incl VAT) for FREE Delivery |
|---|
| Standard Boxes (Bare roots up to 1.2m tall and pots up to and incl. 7.5L) | £7.99 delivery charge (orders up to £100 incl VAT) | Orders of £100 and over - FREE |
| Tall Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m and over) | £14.99 delivery charge (orders up to £100 incl VAT) | Orders of £100 and over - FREE |
| Pallets (Root balls, large pots (10L+), trees etc) | £60.00 delivery charge (orders up to £350 incl VAT) | Orders of £350 and over - FREE |
| Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | £450.00 delivery charge (orders up to £1500 incl VAT) | Orders of £1500 and over - FREE |
There are some exceptions to the standard delivery pricing structure, which relate to deliveries to more remote areas, overseas, or extremely tall or large plants requiring specialist delivery - for more information see the Delivery Information Page. (Please note that due to new Brexit rules, we are currently unable to export to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.).
Delivery Time - Please note that delivery times are currently 3-7 days excluding bank holidays. *Some troughs and trees may take up to 14 days delivery. We are working through existing orders as quickly as possible to deliver new orders within this timescale.
It's Convenient - no need to wait in all day to sign, we don't need a signature (the odd, larger order may require a signature but will be delivered at a mutually agreeable time).
It's Tried & Tested - we use only couriers who have shown consistency in their efficiency & care.
* Please note that delivery costs are based on the final order amount in your cart after any discounts have been applied.
Hedges Direct 12 Month Plant Guarantee
Our plants are guaranteed for 12 months after delivery subject to specific criteria. Visit our Hedges Direct Plant Guarantee Page for full details.
Nominated Day Delivery
Choose a delivery day that suits you with our new Nominated Day Delivery option at checkout. Whilst our standard no signature delivery means you don't need to take time away from other committments to receive your order, we understand that there are times our customers want to make sure they are present to accept delivery, either to plant straight away or to store somewhere safe and out of the way until you're ready to plant.
For an additional fee, you can make sure that your order arrives on the exact day you want it. Please note that this is additional charge to all qualifying orders, including those above the free delivery threshold for Standard Delivery.
Our Nominated Day Delivery is available year-round on the weekdays Tuesdays to Fridays, excluding the day after any bank holiday.
Some products are sent direct from our suppliers and as such are not available for Nominated Day Delivery. These include:- Cell Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Trough Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Hedging Screens- Premium Root Balls (250cm and above in height)- Turf
To book your Nominated Day Delivery for farther ahead than the 3 week window available online, please contact our Sales & Advice team to discuss your options.
-Berries-Close-Up.jpg "Holly - English")
-Leaves-Close-Up.jpg "English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) Leaves Close Up")
-Berries.jpg "English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) Berries")
-Dark-Leaves-Berries.jpg "English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) Dark Leaves Berries")
-Full-Hedge-Lyme-Hall.jpg "English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) Full Hedge Lyme Hall")
-Lined-Up.jpg "English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) Lined Up")
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