Ilex - Holly

Handsworth New Silver, already mentioned by @Verdun, is female and handsome - white and green variegated foliage and the young stems are dark purple. Mine berries well, as does my neighbours plain dark green one (no idea of variety).

The only drawback with a holly, which nobody has mentioned so far, is that it drops its leaves constantly, instead of just in the autumn like a deciduous tree. Mostly in May/June in my experience - this year especially, because of the dry weather - but there always seem to be a few on the ground.

I don't find the prickles a problem though, if you pick them up fresh - as they dry out the prickles hurt more, but then you can just wear gloves.

 

Thank you all for the information. I now need to make a decision but will let you know what I choose.

 

I've been trying to pin these hollies down for over a week now as the area they are to be planted in is finally clear. Choosing plants that contrast, dealing with the opposite gender names that don't always follow, height, shape, price and finding pictures on nursery websites that actually match with others and the plants being advertised has been an absolute nightmare! Be careful if you're on the same search and read all info - twice!

I'd been searching for 'Silver Milkmaid' (female) and asked in the 'Wanted' forum for help with that. Thanks again everyone. Today my male holly arrived and is slightly different in colouring than expected so I've dropped 'Silver Milkmaid' and started another search.

My male holly is 'Golden Milkboy' and yes it is male!





I am now looking for a silver female and have reduced the search to two, Argentia Aquifolium Marginata and Handsworth New Silver. My problem now is which one to choose. Although they are both stated as having silver/white edged leaves, website pictures tend to show them as cream or yellow like Golden Milkboy above. Your experience or thoughts on these will be much appreciated.

Regarding Golden Milkboy please…..the plant is approximately 4ft in height. Do I let it grow on to the height I would like, or take the tip off to make it bush out and then let it put on more growth? The paperwork that came with it says not to prune it for a few years but I'm not so sure about that as it's on the tall/skinny side now. There are a couple of side shoots at the base.

 

Handsworth New Silver is delightful Sheal. Grow it here. Green with silver/white leaves. Following Golden King it is my favourite holly.

Re pruning, I always prune back shrubs to make them bushy. It doesnt dramatically make them shorter in the following year as growth is boosted. It encourages a good conical shape

 

Thank you Verdun.

 

Another vote for Handsworth New Silver, I have one which by now is a very handsome tree. The leaves are definitely silver and green, and it berries well. I also like that the young stems are dark purple, and that the branches have a tendency to weep (=bow down a bit as they grow, not burst into tears!).

PS: Oops, I see I have already sung its praises a few posts above!

 

Thanks Clare. It looks like the vote is swinging towards Handsworth New Silver.

Not a problem the reassurance is welcome.

 

Thank you everyone for your help. I decided on Handsworth New Silver below. A little disappointed as the leaf edges are creamy yellow - I would have preferred white. Descriptions of plants as well as pictures are very hit and miss but no matter, I'll plant this and 'Golden Milkboy' sometime during this coming week.

 

I think you will find H. N. silver will develop white edges when growing outside for a few months Sheal

 

Thank you Verdun that's good to know.

 

In my experience, hollies are very adaptable plants Sheal. However, a decent planting hole enriched with dried manure or compost, fish blood n bone and, after a thorough watering, a generous mulch. Here they are growing on well drained relatively poor soil without any problems
I like them growing thickly from the base and grown cone shape, copying their natural shape really. I prune back at planting time and trim accordingly throughout the years.
They are also much faster growing than prob supposed I think

 

I considered that Armandii but decided it was too spiny for the effect I wanted.

I planted the Hollies today Verdun and always give shrubs blood, fish and bone to get them off to a good start. I also mix compost with the soil. In this garden I have sandy loam, easy to work with yes, but difficult to keep fed/mulched. I decided not to take the growing tips out and will leave them for a couple of years to see how they establish.

I was searching on the internet for the spread of both plants yesterday and it wasn't very forthcoming. The couple of sites that did mention the spread differed so I used those as a guide. I've found information on Ilex either lacking or very confusing. One site stated the Hollies would grow to 12 feet while another said 16 metres. Quite a difference between those two!

 

@Sheal You can take "Verdun's" clippings and strip the lower leaves, pot them up in potting soil water them and make a little greenhouse with a plastic zip lock bag. They will sprout roots and begin to grow new green leaves quickly... Then you can plant them outside and make even more...



I grow more and more every year...

 

Sheal, my Handsworth N S is about 6' wide tapering to a height of 10' or so. An annual trim to maintain these sizes.....easy to do. I simply use a hedge trimmer without any obvious signs of damage to existing foliage (because of leaves being cut). The new growth is a delightful copper colour before turning green and white

Growth size? Most hollies, like others, will continue to grow so ultimate heights are guesswork. Anyway, they are such attractive plants for keeping to shape, so easy to grow and maintain. Just relax about growing them Sheal