Olearia ilicifolia

RHS Plant Profile

mountain holly

John Fielding

Other common names

New Zealand holly

Shrubs Trees

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An evergreen bushy shrub or small tree to a height of up to 3m, with leathery, oval, spiny-edged, green-grey leaves. The white clusters of daisy-like flowers appear in summer and are fragrant

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Olearia can be evergreen shrubs, small trees or herbaceous perennials, with simple, leathery, toothed or entire leaves and corymbs of daisy-like flower-heads
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny position in well-drained soil. Makes a good windbreak or hedge in coastal areas

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings from summer to autumn Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8 In freestanding specimens allow to develop naturally. To keep within bounds, cut out one third to half of the previous year's growth after flowering. If required, can be hard pruned and will regenerate well from low down

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)