Ilex aquifolium

Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) is slow growing, typically adding around 15 to 30cm a year once established. Growth is a little slower in the first year after planting while the roots settle. Because it grows slowly, starting with a taller plant is the quickest way to privacy.

Yes, holly is mildly toxic to dogs, cats and people. The berries and leaves contain saponins that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling if eaten, and the spines can irritate the mouth. Serious poisoning is uncommon, but if a pet eats holly, contact your vet for advice.

Spacing depends on how wide the plants are when supplied: divide 100 by the plant's width in centimetres. A holly 50cm wide is planted at 2 per metre, while narrower young plants often go in at 3 per metre. Our team confirms the spacing for each order.

Autumn is ideal, from October to November, while the soil is still warm, and root-balled holly can be planted through to March. Pot-grown holly and instant hedge elements can be planted most of the year if you water them well through dry spells.

Clip a holly hedge once a year in late summer, usually August or September. This keeps it dense, allows berries to develop and avoids the main bird nesting season. Always check for active nests before cutting.

Only female holly plants carry berries, and they need a male holly nearby for pollination. Seed-raised holly hedging is a natural mix of male and female plants, so most common holly hedges include some berrying plants. Clipping once a year in late summer helps keep a good crop.

Yes, holly is one of the best evergreen hedges for shade. It grows well in full sun, partial shade and the dry shade beneath trees. Plain green holly is the most shade tolerant, while variegated forms colour best in sun.

Holly hedges are usually kept between 1 m and 4 m (3 to 13 ft) tall, and can be held at any height in that range with an annual clip. Left unclipped, Ilex aquifolium will eventually grow into a tree.

Yes, holly responds well to hard pruning and regrows from older wood. Cut back in late winter or early spring, ideally one side and the top in the first year and the other side the following year. Feed, water and mulch afterwards to support the new growth.

The cost depends on the size of plant, the format and the tier you choose. Value hedging uses healthy younger holly plants that knit together over time and suit longer runs on a budget, while Premium uses fuller, more mature plants and ready-made hedge elements for an instant result. Live prices and sizes are shown on this page, and the team confirms plant numbers and the total for each order.

Yes. You are welcome to visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, open Monday to Saturday and on bank holidays (closed Sundays), to choose your plants in person. You can also book a Genus Bar appointment for help with sizes, spacing and quantities.

Yes, we deliver nationwide across the UK. Our in-house team arranges every delivery, with HIAB or Moffett offloading for larger root-balled plants and instant hedge elements, and will confirm timings and access with you before the day.