Evergreen tree or shrub with glossy spiny leaves and bright red winter berries. The traditional Christmas holly of the British Isles.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 5–9 | −28.9 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H6 | −20 °C to −15 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 6–9 | −18 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 2–6 | −10 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About English holly
Holly is dioecious — individual plants are male or female — so berries only appear on female plants, and only when a male is within range of pollinators. This is the usual reason a well-grown holly never berries, and it is complicated by cultivar names that are actively misleading, with some well-known male cultivars carrying female-sounding names. The famously spiny leaves are not uniform: the same tree usually produces much smoother leaves higher up, out of reach of browsing animals, which is a well-documented response to grazing pressure.
Growing notes
- Larval host plant for the spring generation of the holly blue butterfly
- Bright red berries through winter are an iconic Christmas / midwinter seasonal marker
- Separate male and female plants — only female plants set berries, and a male must be in flowering range for pollination
- Excellent dense windbreak and stockproof boundary
Pet caution: English holly is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
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Related plants
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