Overview
Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Ilex, part of the Aquifoliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and garden edging.
About
Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' is an evergreen shrub cultivar belonging to the genus Ilex, which includes both deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees with spiny leaves and small white flowers. This bushy cultivar thrives in full sun or partial shade and adapts well to various soil types, including loam and sand, across a range of pH levels. It prefers moist but well-drained soil and is hardy to UK zone H6. Suitable for a variety of garden settings such as city, courtyard, coastal, and wildlife gardens, it offers seasonal interest in spring and summer.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Ilex
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton'
- Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn, Hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat
- Pest resistance
- Scale insects, Holly leaf miner, Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Holly leaf blight, Phytophthora root rot, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton'?
Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' need?
Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' hardy in the UK?
Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Ilex opaca 'Portia Orton'?
Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn, Hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat.
More in the Ilex genus
- Ilex aquifolium 'Lucifer' (f)
- Ilex canariensis
- Ilex ciliospinosa
- Ilex crenata 'Bennett's Compact' (m)
- Ilex crenata 'Chato'
- Ilex crenata 'David Ellis'
- Ilex crenata 'Howard's Compact' (m)
- Ilex integra
