Ilex aquifolium Ingramii - Common Holly

Ilex aquifolium 'Ingramii' is a an ususual variety of the common holly that is particularly ornamental. This shrub, with variegated green foliage, takes on magnificent pink tones when new leaves emerge. With slow growth and a limited adult size, it can be grown in a container on a terrace. In the garden, it can be planted with other plants in beds or used as a specimen plant to showcase its unique foliage. It is a hardy horticultural variety that requires minimal maintenance and is easy to grow, making it well-suited for small gardens.

The genus Ilex is the only representative of the Aquifoliaceae family, but it includes several hundred species. Ilex aquifolium is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is mainly of European origin. It can be seen in many locations, thriving in deep soils and cool, moist areas, but it can also adapt to open spaces. It can be found in forests up to 1500 m (4921 ft 4 in) altitude, easily recognizable from afar with its dark green foliage and somewhat upright habit. It is a dioecious species, meaning there are male and female individuals. The common holly is long-lived and can live for several centuries. In nature, it typically forms bushes that are 5 to 6 m (16 ft 5 in to 19 ft 8 in) tall, but some individuals can grow much taller.

The variegated holly 'Ingramii' has a much more limited growth, reaching about 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in height after 10 years of planting, and eventually reaches about 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in height and 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in width when fully mature. It is remarkable for its extremely decorative evergreen foliage throughout the year. The young leaves appear in a mix of colours: varying shades of pink blending with creamy white and green speckles, all supported by purple branches. When mature, the green leaves are margined with creamy white, creating a mottled effect without clear boundaries between the colours, and this adds to its visual appeal. The leaf margins are also marked with distinct spines, enhancing the decorative aspect of the foliage. This compact holly adapts to most soils, tolerating even limestone.  Although preferring some moisture, Ilex can withstand drought once well-established. It grows in full sun or partial shade (preferably in warm climates), making it an easy-to-grow plant that requires little maintenance.

This Ingramii holly is an ornamental bush that is well-suited for small gardens, whether planted as a standalone specimen or added into a planting bed. It can also be grown in a container to decorate a terrace. In this case, a modern, sleek pot in a neutral colour would complement its variegated foliage in a contemporary setting. It just requires patience to achieve the desired visual effect, as its growth is slow. It can also be integrated into a planting bed, taking care not to plant fast-growing, vigorous plants next to it to avoid overcrowding. It is also preferable to choose plants with solid-coloured foliage to avoid visual competition. A beautiful Camellia with dark green foliage would be a perfect companion in terms of growth rate and planting requirements. You have a wide variety of choices available due to the extreme diversity of available varieties. The Skimmia reevesiana with its glossy foliage and beautiful decorative red fruits would also be a great neighbour for our small holly.

Hollies are both beloved and misunderstood plants. The genus includes over 400 deciduous or evergreen species, generally native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. These ancient plants have experienced the alternating periods of glacial and dry, hot periods in our climatic history, making them extremely adaptable and resilient. Their wood, which is white to cream, is very low in water content, even when green. It is dense and heavy, yet soft and easy to work with in carpentry. It is also an excellent fuel for heating.