- Characteristics
-
Details
Holly is perhaps our most beautiful native broadleaved evergreen tree. A mature tree in woodland is a fine sight, particularly in winter, when its stately smooth grey trunk and gleaming leaves stand out well against the leafless branches of other trees. It is equally good as a garden ornamental or an evergreen hedge. It has good conservation value, and both the leaves and the scarlet berries are a potent symbol of Christmas.
Site and soil
Holly will do well in any well-drained soil. It copes well with both shade, exposed sites and pollution.
Height and spread
Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;
After 10 years: 4m x 2m
After 20 years: 6m x 3mLeaf and bark
The leaves are elliptic, glossy, leathery dark green, and with wavy, spiny margins. Older leaves at the top of the tree sometimes become smoother and without spines. They are evergreen, although a proportion of leaves are shed in summer. The bark is very smooth and grey.
Flower, seed and fruit
The small white cup-shaped flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils in May. The flowers are dioecious, that is male and female flowers are found on separate plants. Only female hollies bear berries, and then only if there is a male holly nearby to pollinate it. The flowers are followed by the berries, which ripen to red by November. When bought in quantity there is a good chance both sexes will be represented.
Uses
Holly makes a good specimen tree in woodlands and gardens. It is also an excellent formal evergreen hedge, which because it is very dense and spiny, is both intruder and stock-proof.
Its tough leaves are wind-proof, and it can also be left unclipped to form an informal wind-break. It makes very good topiary shapes of all kinds.
The wood is very hard and dense and is used for making mathematical instruments, printing blocks, walking sticks and inlays on furniture. It is much prized by wood-turners, and in the past was used to make Tunbridge Ware. Birdlime was once made from the fermented bark and spread on branches to catch birds as they came into roost.
The berries are strongly purgative, and it was once used medicinally. It resists Honey Fungus well, and is often recommended as a replacement for plants which have been killed by the disease.
Rabbits love the young wood and bark, so plants must be protected from them for the first few years after planting. Holly is said to protect against both witchcraft and lightning, and was traditionally planted near houses for this reason.
Wildlife
Insects pollinate the flowers, and a number of butterflies, including the Holly Blue lay their eggs on the leaves. Because it is dense and evergreen, holly provides good shelter and nesting sites for birds. Many species of birds eat the berries. The wood is very strong, and the tree is seldom damaged by heavy snowfall in severe winters.
- Plant Protection
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The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
Vole, Mice
20cmRabbit
60cmHare
75cmRoe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mFallow Deer
1.50mPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice
20cmVole Guard*
20cm
*Not recommended for this speciesNone required Pest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit
60cmSpiral Guard*
60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Easywrap*
60cm x 50-65mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsMesh Guard with Spray Shield
60cm x 130mm2 x Bamboo Canes
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Fruitwrap*
60cm x 65-80mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Ecostart*
60cm x 57-73cm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
60cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare
75cmTubex Easywrap*
75cm x 50-65mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsSpiral Guard*
75cm x 50mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Fruitwrap*
75cm x 65-80mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Ecostart*
75cm x 57-73mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Combitube
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mTubex Tree Shelter*
1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Combitube*
1.20m x 73-105mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube*
1.20m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube*
1.20m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard*
1.20m x 300mm
*Not recommended for this speciesMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest Fallow Deer
1.50mTubex Tree Shelter*
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Combitube*
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube*
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube*
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard*
1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm
*Not recommended for this speciesMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.80m x 60mmSpraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
- Planting & Care
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Planting
For a formal hedge we recommend planting in a straight line, 5 per metre.
Aftercare
Holly hedges and topiary should be trimmed in spring.