Further Information

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.

Pruning Advice

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.

Delivery & Returns

Everything you need to know about your delivery: Free delivery - this is available on most orders when you reach a minimum order value for your packaging type which is based on the size and quantity of plants that you order. Details are in the delivery information table below.

Packaging Type	Standard Delivery Charge	Minimum Order Values for FREE Delivery
Boxes (Bare roots and pots up to and inc 7.5L)	£7.99 delivery charge (orders up to £60)	Orders of £60 and over - FREE
Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc)	£60 delivery charge (orders up to £350)	Orders of £350 and over - FREE
Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery)	£450 delivery charge (orders up to £1500)	Orders of £1500 and over - FREE

Nominated Day Delivery – Choose a day that suits you for your delivery. If nominated delivery is available on the products you’ve chosen, you’ll be able to select this option at checkout. Fees for this will depend on the product selected and your delivery address.

For full delivery information, including geographical exceptions, see our delivery page

English Holly Hedge Ilex aquifolium

From £2.79

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English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a beautiful and versatile evergreen hedge. It is notable for its distinctive prickly leaves - deep green and glossy, its bright-red winter berries and attractive ornamental aesthetic. Its dense prickly habit also makes English Holly hedging an excellent security barrier and privacy screen.

EVERGREEN
NATIVE
SLOW GROWING
HAS BERRIES

Planting Conditions: Suitable for normal, clay or chalk soils, full sun to full shade and inland, coastal or exposed sites
Growth Rate: Slow growing, expect 0-10cm per year
Height: Easily maintained at 1-4m
Bare root plants are shown as a single bare root and a bundle for comparison. Please note if ordering 1 x bare root, this will be a single plant not a bundle unless shown as a multibuy item.
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SKU ILE

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.

What are root types?

Root types explained.

Bare root
Field grown, bare roots are young plants that are only planted when they are dormant, from autumn to spring. We lift bare root plants and despatch them during the season but they can be pre-ordered in summer. As they are cheaper to grow, they are one of our most affordable hedge planting options.
Pot grown
Pot grown plants can be planted year round and make a convenient option. They come in a wide range of sizes, from 10cm to 2.5m so they're suitable for the majority of planting requirements.
Root ball
Also field grown, root ball plants are scooped out of the ground using machinery to keep their root system intact and wrapped in bio-degradable, hessian sacks. They are mature plants that provide dense coverage very early on, ideal for when you need a thick hedge quickly.
Instant
Grown in troughs or bags that measure 50cm-1 metre in length and carefully clipped during the growing season. Our instant hedging troughs create a dramatic, instant hedge effect.