Buy English holly (self-fertile female) Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. van Tol': Delivery by Waitrose Garden

Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. van Tol'

English holly (self-fertile female)

Eventual height & spread

Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. van Tol'

English holly (self-fertile female)

3 litre pot
£38.99
In stock (shipped within 2-3 working days)

10 litre pot | 1 - 1.2m tall
£119.99
In stock (shipped within 2-3 working days)

Delivery options

Standard £5.99
Next/Named Day £10.99

Position: full sun or partial shade
Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Rate of growth: slow
Flowering period: May to June
Hardiness: fully hardy

This hardy native holly is unusual in that its glossy, dark green leaves are almost spineless. It is also self-fertile, and so does not need to be near a male holly to produce fruit. Instead, the bright red berries appear on dark purple stems in autumn and persist through the winter months, providing a rich source of food for birds. This holly makes a handsome evergreen specimen tree for a small garden with fertile, moist, well-drained soil.

To find out more about how to plant a hedge, click here

Garden care:

Plants grown as free-standing specimens require minimal pruning - remove diseased or misplaced branches in spring. Trim plants grown as formal hedges in late summer. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.