English holly Ilex aquifolium
English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Aquifoliaceae family. It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan English holly in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
English holly at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Aquifoliaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is English holly toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: berries, leaves
Berries contain saponins that cause vomiting, diarrhoea and drowsiness.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with English holly
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
See English holly in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
Questions about English holly
- How far apart should I plant English holly?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does English holly need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does English holly need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is English holly?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does English holly flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is English holly poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Berries contain saponins that cause vomiting, diarrhoea and drowsiness.
- What grows well with English holly?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for English holly. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Dioecious: only female plants fruit and need a nearby male.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Winterberry holly Ilex verticillata
- Yerba mate Ilex paraguariensis
- Japanese holly (inutsuge) Ilex crenata
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius