Hollies—also known as Ilex or Winterberry—are those classic evergreen beauties we see all over parks and backyards. There are actually between 400 and 600 different species worldwide, and they’re all famous for those tough, leathery leaves that usually sport a few sharp spines.
What All Hollies Have in Common
Whether they grow as a bushy shrub or a towering tree, Ilex can reach anywhere from 6 to 80 feet tall. If you pick the right spot to plant them, these hardy plants can live for several hundred years! Every variety features glossy green or yellow-green leaves with a thick, waxy texture and those iconic prickly edges.
One interesting thing about hollies is that they are “dioecious,” which is just a fancy way of saying they come in male and female versions. Their tiny white flowers might not look like much, but in the fall, the female plants produce those bright red berries we all love for holiday decorating.
Just a heads-up: those berries are toxic, and those prickly leaves can give you a nasty scratch if you aren’t careful, so wear gloves when pruning!
Where You’ll Find Them
Hollies are incredibly adaptable and grow in almost every climate zone on the planet. Here in North America, we have about 17 native species, while China is home to over 200! In Western Europe, the Common or English Holly (*Ilex aquifolium*) is the star of the show.
In the wild, they love hanging out in deciduous and coniferous forests, but they’re just as happy in the nutrient-rich, humus-heavy soil of a well-tended garden.
Popular Holly Varieties
To make things easier, you can generally break the world of Ilex down into three main groups:
- English (European) Holly
- Japanese Holly
- Cultivated Hybrids
Japanese Holly
Known botanically as *Ilex crenata*, the Japanese Holly is a close cousin to the English variety but looks quite different. It has much smaller leaves and—thankfully for our hands—no spines! It’s a fantastic choice if you’re looking to plant a neat, tidy hedge.
Cool Cultivars to Check Out
Most of the decorative hollies we see today are bred from the classic *Ilex aquifolium*. Breeders have spent years crossing different types to highlight specific colors or hardiness levels, so there’s truly a holly for every style.
- Ilex aquifolium ‘Alaska’: This one is a champion when it comes to surviving bitter winter cold.
- Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’: A real showstopper with striking white-edged leaves.
- Ilex aquifolium ‘Aurea Marginata’ & ‘Golden van Tol’: These varieties bring a pop of color with bright yellow borders on the foliage.
- Ilex aquifolium ‘Aureovariegata’: A fan favorite for its beautiful variegated leaves.
- Ilex ‘Conang’: A lovely, bushy variety that produces a profusion of white flowers.
- Ilex crenata ‘Golden Gem’: A Japanese variety that stays nice and low, usually topping out at only 2 or 3 feet tall.
