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Ilex aquifolium Silver Queen - Common Holly

Ilex aquifolium Silver Queen
European Holly, Common Holly, English Holly, Evergreen Holly

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A beautiful variety of common holly with evergreen, prickly, dark green foliage edged with creamy white. This male bush does not produce fruits but will be decorative all year round thanks to its bright foliage. It will find its place in a natural garden, in isolation, in an informal or defensive hedge, or in the undergrowth. This variety will be perfect for illuminating a somewhat dark corner of the garden.
Flower size
5 mm
Height at maturity
3 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ is a beautiful variety of Common Holly with evergreen, prickly, dark green foliage edged with creamy white. This male bush does not produce fruit but will be decorative all year round thanks to its bright foliage. It will find its place in a natural garden, in isolation, in an informal or defensive hedge, or in the undergrowth. This variety will be perfect for illuminating a somewhat dark corner of the garden.

 

Ilex aquifolium needs no introduction. It is widespread throughout Europe, from Scandinavia to the Caucasus, from southern Europe to North Africa, from Iran to northern Asia. This immense distribution area clearly underlines the remarkable adaptability of this bush. It is appreciated since time immemorial for the bright red fruiting that adorns the female in winter, a red perfectly highlighted by prickly dark and shiny green foliage. Hollies belong to the Aquifoliaceae family.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’, sometimes marketed under the name of I. aquifolium ‘Argentea Regina’, is a ubiquitous evergreen bush. It prefers deep soils and cool to humid areas, but also adapts to open spaces. It is quite polymorphous, depending on its habitat, adopting the appearance of a large conical bush 5m (16ft) high and 2m (7ft) wide, or the bushier habit of a small tree. With slow growth, it roots deeply into the soil, favouring the development of its root system before producing its branches. The evergreen foliage is composed of tough leaves, 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long, and polymorphous according to the age of the plant or its vigour. The edge of the leaves is undulated and dentate and presents sharp thorns. The lamina is very shiny dark green edged with creamy white to pale-yellow, suffused with pink at budding. Flowering takes place in spring, in May-June, in the leaf axil, in the form of small white to pink flowers, not exceeding 5mm (0.2in) in diameter, gathered in clusters. The flowers are honey-bearing and fragrant. This male bush does not produce fruit. The bark of this small tree is greenish-purple when young, before taking on a grey colour and a smooth appearance. Common holly can live up to 400 to 500 years.

 

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ will satisfy gardeners who love solid, unpretentious bushes, which remain beautiful all year round. It has the advantage of adapting to many growing conditions while bringing a sculptural touch to the garden. It will be attractive all year round thanks to its bright variegated foliage. It is perfect in a grove, accompanied by a few deciduous shrubs with autumn foliage and conifers with bluish-green foliage for contrast. It can also be planted in a mixed hedge, or in a defensive hedge. It mainly fears dry air and shallow soils. Hardy beyond -15°C (5°F), it particularly likes cool places, in a large natural garden. Plant in cold regions alongside hawthorn, snowberries, and other evergreen hollies.

 

Hollies are both beloved and little-known plants. The genus comprises nearly 800 deciduous or evergreen species, usually native to the temperate northern hemisphere. These very ancient plants have experienced the alternating glacial and dry, hot periods of our climate history, making them extremely adaptable and resilient plants. Their white to cream wood is very low in water, even when green. It is dense and heavy, but soft and easy to work in cabinet-making. It is also an excellent fuel for heating, even when green. Finally, its foliage and berries (not edible) are rich in caffeine. A tea is made with its leaves in the Black Forest.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit conical, pyramidal
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Flowering time May to June
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour variegated

Botanical data

Genus

Ilex

Species

aquifolium

Cultivar

Silver Queen

Family

Aquifoliaceae

Other common names

European Holly, Common Holly, English Holly, Evergreen Holly

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference872781

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Planting and care

Add a generous amount of potting soil to compost and incorporate it into your garden soil, to allow easier and deeper rooting. It is a woodland species, found in plains and mountains, up to 1500m altitude. It tends to seek coolness in the southernmost regions of its distribution area. It prefers acidic soils and cool situations, but adapts to limestone soils if the humidity level of the air is sufficient. This bush fears cold situations and icy winds. Therefore, choose a semi-shaded location in a warm climate, and a sunny position in a cool region. Water for the first 3 years to help the bush to settle in. Once established, it will manage on its own, as it tolerates drought quite well if planted in semi-shade and in deep soil. Pay particular attention to watering in summer and during prolonged drought. 

When young, prune in spring to train the holly, selecting the branches you want to keep. Take a step back to view your holly as a whole to determine the shape and arrangement of the short stems. 

Holly can become invasive where it is happy, through numerous spontaneous sowings, but also because of its ability to layer itself.

It can be attacked by holly miner, white scales in spring, and mites and aphids in summer. Treat preventatively at the beginning of the season.

 

Planting period

Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, All deep soil.

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning is not essential in an informal hedge, but can be useful on a young plant planted alone or grown in a pot. Prune the bush at the end of summer, or at the end of winter.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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