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ilex aquifolium hedge

An Ilex aquifolium hedge, also known as English holly, is a timeless choice for gardeners seeking year-round structure, elegant privacy, and a touch of festive colour in their New Zealand landscape. Loved for its glossy, spiny evergreen leaves and iconic red berries in winter, Ilex aquifolium creates a formal, attractive boundary—perfect for classic and contemporary gardens alike. Whether you want a dense screening hedge, a feature backdrop for planting, or a low-maintenance living fence, Ilex aquifolium delivers lasting beauty and resilience.

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.

From $136.04

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.

From $27.53

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
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Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Coprosma, Corokia, Dodonaea, Feijoa, Ficus, Grevillea, Griselinia, Ilex, Ligustrum, Lonicera, Photinia, Pittosporum, Quercus Viburnum and Westringia, or related Categories - Feijoa Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

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Why Choose Ilex aquifolium for Hedges?

Ilex aquifolium is renowned for its dense, upright growth and impressive adaptability, making it ideal for formal clips or looser, naturalistic hedges. The prickly, glossy foliage forms an effective barrier, deterring intruders—both human and animal. As one of the toughest evergreen shrubs, it tolerates urban pollution, coastal winds, and partial shade, while the bird-attracting red berries add seasonal interest. Ilex aquifolium hedges are slow-growing yet long-lived, requiring only occasional shaping to maintain their form and vitality.

Planting and Growing Your Ilex aquifolium Hedge

For a successful Ilex aquifolium hedge, choose a well-drained spot with some sun or light shade. Hedges thrive in a wide range of soils, including clay, and withstand the varied New Zealand climate. Space young holly plants approximately 40-60cm apart for a dense effect or further if a softer look is desired. Water well after planting and mulch to suppress weeds. Prune your hedge in late winter or early spring to encourage bushy growth and retain shape. With minimal care, an Ilex aquifolium hedge keeps its deep green lustre and robust structure all year round.

Popular Ilex Varieties for Hedges

While the classic Ilex aquifolium produces the traditional look, there are beautiful cultivars to add extra interest, colour, or softer foliage:

These cultivars all retain the durability and evergreen structure of classic holly, allowing you to design a hedge that’s uniquely yours.

Using Ilex aquifolium in Your Garden

An Ilex aquifolium hedge is highly versatile. Use it as a boundary for privacy, to create garden rooms, or as a windbreak. Pair it with specimen trees, flowering shrubs, or perennial beds for layered visual interest. Consider underplanting with spring bulbs to highlight the holly’s rich evergreen leaves. With its wildlife-friendly berries and dense foliage, Ilex aquifolium supports beneficial birds and insects, adding life to your garden backdrop.

Explore our full range of Ilex aquifolium options to create the ideal evergreen hedge for your garden. From classic to variegated forms, you’ll find a holly suited to every garden style and purpose.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Our most famous blooms include Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' and Gardenia 'Veitchii', but some of our best-kept secrets are Argyranthemum 'Honeycomb', Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood), and Wisteria Black Dragon — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

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