Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’
Garden Plant Information

Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen'

 

Name

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ (also called male Holly)

Genus  

Ilex

Species

aquifolium

Cultivar/variety

 

'Silver Queen'

General description

Robust, slow growing, upright, evergreen tree with glossy prickly leaves. Despite the name, this is a male tree. Useful as a specimen or part of a hedge. Suitable for hedging or as a specimen. Can tolerate maritime exposure and atmospheric pollution. Noted for attracting wildlife.

Season of interest

All year round.

Key horticultural features

  1. Upright, dense habit. H: up to 5m. S: up to 4m.

  2. Leaves elliptic with spiny edges. Thick, glossy and slightly waxy. Variegated – dark green with cream edges. Paler green veins. New leaves are tinged with pink.

  3. Stem round and smooth. Young stems tinged with purple/pink.

  4. Flowers small and yellow. No fruit.

Cultural details

Aspect

Will grow in sun or partial shade. Does well in Quercus (oak) woodland, growing as under storey.

Soil

Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Acidic, Chalky/alkaline, Sandy.

Hardiness

Fully hardy

Maintenance

Trim hedges once in late summer. Responds well, if slowly, to hard pruning.

Propagation

Slow rooting. Layer branches or take cuttings in autumn.