Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

english holly tree

The English holly tree (Ilex aquifolium) is a classic evergreen, instantly recognisable by its deep green, glossy leaves with distinctive spiny edges and vibrant red berries. Sought after for centuries in gardens and landscapes across New Zealand and the world, the English holly tree adds structure, texture, and seasonal colour to any outdoor space. Its reputation as the traditional Christmas holly makes it a popular choice for creating festive displays, living hedges, and wild bird habitats. Whether you’re planning a formal garden, a wildlife-friendly planting, or searching for evergreen structure, the English holly tree adapts beautifully to a variety of uses and design schemes.

ilex-aquifolium-angustifolia-male-

Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia

5 from 1 customers

Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia' is an elegant evergreen holly admired for its narrow dark green leaves and dense upright growth habit. This hardy shrub or small tree provides year round structure and texture in New Zealand gardens while also producing attractive red berries on female plants when pollinated. Its refined foliage and naturally tidy shape make it ideal for hedging, screening, topiary, feature planting, and formal garden designs. Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia' thrives in a range of conditions and offers reliable evergreen appeal throughout the year.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.

Ilex Largo

5 from 2 customers

Ilex ‘Largo’ is a bold, evergreen holly variety known for its dense, glossy green foliage and broad, upright growth habit. It forms a tidy shrub that’s ideal for hedging, screening, or adding structure to gardens. ‘Largo’ is low maintenance and responds well to trimming, making it easy to shape. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to most well-drained soils. This hardy and attractive plant suits a wide range of New Zealand gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ilex 'Madame Briot' variegated cream and green foliage.
Ilex aquifolium Madame Briot

Ilex aquifolium 'Madame Briot' is an evergreen shrub that carries spiny, glossy green leaves with a yellow margin. Small, white, mildly fragrant...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex 'JC Van Tol' foliage and berries.
Ilex aquifolium JC Van Tol

Ilex aquifolium 'JC Van Tol' is a handsome evergreen holly prized for its glossy dark green foliage, bright red berries, and naturally dense growth...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Ilex Largo

Ilex ‘Largo’ is a bold, evergreen holly variety known for its dense, glossy green foliage and broad, upright growth habit. It forms a tidy shrub...

From$136.04
Ilex 'Sky Pencil' shrubs with elegant, green foliage growing against a wall.
Ilex Sky Pencil

Ilex ‘Sky Pencil’ is a striking, upright holly prized for its narrow, columnar shape that adds vertical interest to gardens. This evergreen shrub...

From$27.53
A large and showy Quercus ilex specimen tree in a field.
Quercus ilex

Quercus ilex, commonly known as the Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak, is an evergreen tree with lush foliage. The dark green leaves are glossy and...

From$270.40
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata Convexa (Japanese Holly)

Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its small glossy dark green leaves and naturally dense growth habit. Often used as an...

From$27.53
Ilex crenata 'Helleri' shrubs in a border garden.
Ilex crenata Helleri

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub with small, glossy green leaves and a dense, mounding habit. Resembling boxwood in...

From$27.53
Ilex 'Golden King' foliage and red berries.
Ilex Golden King

Ilex Golden King is a variety of English Holly that is a densely foliaged, evergreen shrub that carries spiny, glossy green leaves with a...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex 'Green Pillar' plants.
Ilex Green Pillar

Ilex 'Green Pillar' is a variety of English Holly that grows with an upright, columnar habit. The small, dark green leaves are held densely off...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex 'Little Caesar' hegde with green foliage.
Ilex Little Caesar

Ilex Little Caesar is a variety of Holly that carries small and glossy, green leaves held densely on rigid stems. New leaves are a rich yellow-green...

OUT OF STOCK
An Ilex 'Blue Angel' shrub with glossy, dark green foliage and red berries.
Ilex 'Blue Angel'

Ilex ‘Blue Angel’ is a compact, evergreen holly known for its striking blue-green foliage and dense, upright growth habit. This hardy shrub produces...

OUT OF STOCK
ilex-blue-prince-2
Ilex Blue Prince

Ilex Blue Prince is a variety of Meserve Holly that grows as a dense, evergreen shrub and features impressive, dark blue-green leaves with short...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex 'Silver Queen' foliage.
Ilex Silver Queen

Ilex 'Silver Queen' is a striking evergreen holly admired for its glossy dark green leaves edged with creamy silver margins. This elegant shrub or...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex crenata 'Mariesii' foliage.
Ilex crenata Mariesii

Ilex crenata Mariesii is a variety of Holly that carries small and glossy, green leaves held densely and tightly on rigid stems. Small, white...

OUT OF STOCK
An Ilex cornuta shrub with spiny, green leaves and red berries.
Ilex cornuta

Ilex cornuta, commonly known as the Chinese Holly, is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub that carries glossy, green foliage with prominent, short...

OUT OF STOCK
ilex-handsworth-new-silver-1
Ilex 'Handsworth New Silver'

Ilex 'Handsworth New Silver' is an elegant evergreen holly valued for its glossy green leaves edged with silver. This striking foliage provides year...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly) plants grown as a topiary.
Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly)

Ilex crenata, commonly known as Japanese Holly, is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its small, glossy green leaves that resemble boxwood. Ideal...

OUT OF STOCK
An Ilex crenata 'Fastigata' small specimen tree.
Ilex crenata Fastigiata

Ilex crenata 'Fastigiata', commonly known as the Japanese Holly, is an upright, evergreen shrub that grows with a columnar habit, carrying small...

OUT OF STOCK
ilex-hendersonii-1
Ilex Hendersonii

Ilex 'Hendersonii' is an attractive evergreen holly valued for its glossy dark green foliage, dense growth habit, and colourful berries that provide...

OUT OF STOCK
Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ilex, and Quercus, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs, and Evergreen Trees.

Search Ilex aquifolium

Why Grow the English Holly Tree in New Zealand?

The English holly tree stands out for its year-round appeal and resilience. Able to thrive in a wide range of soils and conditions, it tolerates frost, coastal winds, and pruning—making it an ideal selection for New Zealand gardens. The tree’s dense foliage serves as an excellent privacy screen, windbreak, or hedge. In winter, the bright red holly berries add a burst of colour, attracting native birds such as tui and waxeyes. Because both male and female trees are required for berry production, consider combining the standard Ilex aquifolium with other cultivars to maximise fruiting.

Varieties of English Holly Tree

Selecting the right variety can help you tailor the English holly tree to your garden’s style and requirements. The narrow-leaved Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia offers a more refined silhouette, perfect for elegant hedging. If you’re after a holly with striking variegated foliage, Ilex aquifolium Madame Briot features golden-margined leaves, while Ilex Handsworth New Silver delivers silvery edges and a vivid display. For gardens favouring less-prickly leaves and reliable berry production, Ilex aquifolium JC Van Tol is a top choice.

Planting and Care Tips

Plant your English holly tree in a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first year to establish a strong root system, then reduce frequency as the shrub establishes. Hollies are slow-growing but respond well to pruning, which can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain desired height and shape. An annual mulch of organic compost or leaf mould helps retain moisture and improve soil structure.

English holly trees are generally pest free; however, keeping the area clear of fallen berries or leaves helps prevent unwanted seedlings. With proper placement and minimal care, these evergreens will thrive for decades, rewards you with glossy foliage and winter interest.

Shop English Holly Tree Varieties

Browse our collection of classic and specialty English holly trees, including Ilex aquifolium, Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia, Ilex Handsworth New Silver, Ilex aquifolium Madame Briot, and Ilex aquifolium JC Van Tol. Enhance your garden with the enduring beauty, resilience, and festive character of the English holly tree.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews