Ilex purpurea
A small, evergreen, pyramid-shaped tree about 4m tall, with long, deep green, lance-shaped leaves that are pink when young. The spring blooms are lilac in colour which deepens as they age. These are followed by shiny dark red berries in autumn on female plants if there is a male for pollination
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Pink | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Aquifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Ilex can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees with often spiny leaves, small white flowers (male and female usually on separate plants) and, on female plants, showy berries in autumn
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn or propagate by hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 1; trim hedges in early spring
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, holly leaf miner and young shoots may be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to holly leaf blight
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.