The approximately 400 to 600 species of the holly genus are divided into three subgroups. However, the European holly grows most prominently in home gardens, while the Japanese holly is becoming increasingly popular.
The Ilex Aquifolium Silver Queen inspires with its silver leaf edges
What types of holly are there?
It is certainly unknown to many people, but the mate bush (Latin: ilex paraguariensis) also belongs to the holly family. The dried leaves are cut into small pieces and drunk as mate tea. However, you should not make tea with the leaves of European holly, these leaves are poisonous, as are the berries.
Other species of holly are cultivated varieties of the European holly "Ilex aquifolium". They often impress with their beautiful foliage colors or are particularly frost-hardy, such as the Ilex aquifolium "Alaska". The 'Golden van Tol' and 'Aurea Marginata' varieties have leaves with a yellow edge, while the 'Argentea Marginata' variety has a white edge. The 'Aureovriegata' variety also belongs to the variegated holly family.
The Japanese holly - a variety of its own
Japanese holly, also known as Ilex crenata, while related to European holly, is a very different plant. Its leaves are much smaller, making it look more like boxwood. Also, the leaves do not have the spines characteristic of the European Ilex. It is very suitable as a hedge plant, but you can also grow a bonsai from it.
Decorative varieties of European holly:
- Ilex aquifolium "Alaska": particularly hardy
- Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata': leaves with a white edge
- Ilex aqiufolium 'Aurea Marginata': yellow-edged foliage
- Ilex aquifolium 'Aureovariegata': variegated foliage
- Ilex aquifolium 'Golden van Tol': leaves with a distinctive yellow border
tips
If you want to plant a hedge of holly, then use different varieties for it. So your hedge is guaranteed not to be boring, but bright and colorful.