Ilex aquifolium 'Handsworth New Silver' (f/v)
holly 'Handsworth New Silver'
Dense, compact evergreen tree or shrub with purple young shoots. Spiny, elliptic dark green leaves mottled grey, to 9cm in length, are broadly margined creamy-white. Small, white flowers appear in late spring, followed by bright red berries
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | White | Green Grey Silver Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green Grey Silver Cream | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Green Grey Silver Cream | Red | |
| Winter | Purple | Green Grey Silver Cream | Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Although partial shade is suitable, variegated cultivars have better leaf colour in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn to midwinter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Patio and container plants
- 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, Phytophthora root rot and sometimes honey fungus
Get involved
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