20 Ilex aquifolium Bonsai Seeds - Christmas Holly + 40 FREE Ficus Bonsai Seeds & Bonsai eBook

Common Names: Christmas Holly, English Holly, European Holly, Common Holly or Holly

Ilex is a large genus of around 500 species of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from woodland areas the world over. The Ilex genus is placed in the Aquifoliaceae family and the only living genus in that family. Hollies are grown for their leaves, which are often spiny and glossy, and their colourful berries, which time and again draw birds to the garden. Flowers are small, cup-shaped, and rather inconspicuous and are borne from spring to early summer. Male and female plants are usually needed for fruiting.

Hollies need moist but well-drained soil of moderate fertility in full sun or partial shade. It is best to plant or move hollies in early spring. Prune in late winter or early spring if necessary. Ilex aquifolium is a tall, pyramidal, evergreen tree that may also be grown as a large shrub, potted plant and also makes a gorgeous Bonsai. Its evergreen, spiny foliage is leathery and glossy. Insignificant, though fragrant flowers bloom in spring followed by red berries that attract birds.

Ilex aquifolium, commonly known as English Holly, is a hardy plant, capable of surviving in most conditions, except where it is extremely wet. Its distinctive spiny leaves deter grazing animals and protect birds from predators as they feed on its bright red berries. Holly is also an ideal hedging plant for many reasons. It is slow growing and needs little maintenance; its dense form and prickly leaves are a good intruder deterrent; its berries on pollinated female plants provide food for birds throughout the winter and it can be trimmed into a superb formal decorative hedge which provides an excellent windbreak and is also pollution resistant. Holly is also a very popular choice as a bonsai subject, requiring little effort once established.