English Holly 20/30cm bare root x 100 Ilex aquifolium

Ilex aquifolium

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.