Ilex - classic hollies

We are now really understanding the problems of developing new beds in large open areas, and are looking to hollies to generate an evergreen framework to aid the establishment of young plants and create something to look at in the winter. I’m sure these classic plants need no introduction, but I will remind you that in most cases, male and female plants are needed to maximise berrying. However, they need not be side-by-side. It would be difficult to find as accommodating a plant - what else will grow without grumbling in dry shade beneath other trees?

As so often happens, a passing interest deepens to become an obsession...we're now up to over 50 different hollies (I had no idea there was such diversity.) Inevitably these will become available as we start to propagate them for our own use and I have some spares...watch this space!

Note: we have a number of older (ie larger and bushier) plants growing on in the open ground which can be lifted in the autumn. Another advantage of these is that having been growing slowly outside all summer, they don't have the vulnerable late season soft growth that can be a problem on container grown stock.