About
Ilex aquifolium 'Laurifolia' is a robust, upright evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 20 meters. It features deep purple stems and glossy, dark green leaves that are typically free of spines. As a male cultivar, it does not bear berries but produces small white flowers in late spring, serving as a valuable pollinator for female holly varieties.
About the genus
Ilex consists of shrubs and trees that can either be deciduous or evergreen. They typically feature leaves with a spiny texture, produce small white flowers (with male and female blooms usually found on different plants), and the female specimens bear prominent berries in the fall.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; trim hedges in early spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn or propagate by hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects, Holly leaf miner and young shoots may be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to holly leaf blight, Phytophthora root rot and sometimes honey fungus