Holly tree with berries - tree, not shrub.

[JoannaSZ]

Hi All

I would like to plant a holly tree with berries in my front garden. I was thinking about blue maid (with berries). Could you advise what is the best tree, not shrub please. I don't want to end up with shrubs but with a kind of lolly pop shape.
Thank you

Jo

 

[Verdun]

Jo
The best is ilex J. C. Van Tol.
Often used to help pollinate other hollies but it berries reliably and profusely.
Not too prickly either and suitable for shaping/training. Nice dark green foliage.

 

[Robert Cummings]

You create the lollipop effect by cutting off side branches as your plant grows taller. All trees have side branches if grown naturally with the exception of grafted trees, which is a rather different situation.

 

[zigs]

Welcome to the forums from Dorzet

Good advice above

All Hollies will try to be trees

 

[Robert Cummings]

We have two different hollies planted right next to each other for effect and privacy in our front garden, they are getting quite tall now and are still furnished well with side branches nearly to ground level, becoming a bit troublesome with the mower now so I will be removing some of the side branches in the coming months, this will create the single stem lollipop effect.​

 

[Verdun]

Hollies are such wonderful evergreens yet oddly not planted as often as they should be,.
I have Golden King at 15' tall and as much across trimmed to a conical shape. Looks great as a focal point. Also Handsworth New Silver trained similarly but smaller at 9' tall and 5' across. This stands next to a wall trained cotinus Royal Purple thus making a purple red/ green/white combiation from spring until late autumn
Easy to prune and shape and no vices

 

[Robert Cummings]

Actually there is a lot of Holly planted by contractors these days, it is commonly planted in native hedges, the most common form used is Ilex Aquifolium,common evergreen holly.planted either in 9am pots or whips/transplants.

 

[Verdun]

That makes sense Robert.....they also self seed.
However, the variegated varieties are good looking plants and not too many of these in gardens I think.

 

[Robert Cummings]

Think it depends what area of the country different areas seem to have different fads shall we say. There does seem to be Holly in abundance here in Somerset, both variagated and common evergreen. I can't say about areas north of here as we tend to be quite localised. If you have difficulty locating any let me know and I'll see what I can do to help you out.

 

[JoannaSZ]

Jo
The best is ilex J. C. Van Tol.
Often used to help pollinate other hollies but it berries reliably and profusely.
Not too prickly either and suitable for shaping/training. Nice dark green foliage.

JC van Tol it is then. Just waiting for my delivery. Decided to buy one little for big planter and the bigger one will follow if we like the small one
Thank you for your help.