How to Grow and Care for Holly

31.10.2023 - 18:43 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren

How to Grow and Care for Holly Ilex spp.

There are some plants that are overhyped and others I totally understand what the fuss is about. You see hollies in lots of gardens, and I think they absolutely deserve their popularity.

Hollies are typically evergreen, provide year-round interest with berries and leaves, and they’re super easy to maintain.

When we talk about holly, most people think about the type with the spiky leaves and bright red berries often used as holiday decorations.

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But there is so much variety within the Ilex genus.

There are smooth-leaved types, those with variegated foliage, some with black or yellow berries, and types that crawl along the ground or grow into tall trees.

If you’d like to learn more about the various plants in this diverse genus, here’s what you can expect in this guide:

Let’s start with what the plants in the Ilex genus have in common.

When you think of holly, you probably picture the glossy, alternate, spiky green leaves of common holly (llex aquifolium) – but the Ilex genus includes over 500 species, many of which don’t resemble the familiar holiday greenery one bit.

Some species are low-growing shrubs, others may be climbers, or trees that tower up to 80 feet tall. Some need full shade, and others bask in full sunshine.

There are evergreen types and those that lose their leaves in the fall.

Some have leaves with pointed edges called spines. These sharp bits are a defense against browsing by herbivores.

For plants that grow prickly leaves, the entire plant may or may not have the sharp foliage.

They might have some smooth leaves, a few completely prickly