Overview
Ilex Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) is a bushy shrubs in the genus Ilex, part of the Aquifoliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ilex Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) 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 Red Beauty ('Rutzan') is an evergreen shrub cultivar of the Ilex genus, known for its bushy habit. Like other members of the genus, it features spiny-textured leaves and produces small white flowers, with female plants bearing prominent berries in autumn. This cultivar thrives in fertile, well-drained soil, preferring full sun or partial shade and tolerating a range of soil types and pH levels. It is hardy to UK zone H6 and suits various garden settings including city, coastal, cottage, and wildlife gardens, offering 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 Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) 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 Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f)
- 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 Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f)?
Ilex Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Ilex Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) need?
Ilex Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) 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 Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) hardy in the UK?
Ilex Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f) 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 Red Beauty ('Rutzan') (f)?
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
