Ilex Aquifolium ‘J.C. Van Tol’

Almost spineless and smaller in size, this holly cultivar has all the best attributes of the native species but in a version that is much more garden-friendly. Ilex aquifolium ‘J.C. van Tol’ is a self-fertile variety that doesn’t require a pollination partner and produces an abundance of small white flowers in May and June followed by an excellent display of bright red berries in autumn and winter. Ilex aquifolium ‘J.C. van Tol’ steadily grows into a bushy, pyramidal tree densely clothed in glossy, dark green foliage – most of the leaves are smooth-edged, others slightly spiny. It is perfect as an evergreen specimen tree, foundation shrub or hedge, providing year-round colour and interest plus thick cover that filters out noise and wind. A strong grower, it tolerates a wide variety of conditions. Holly is also excellent for encouraging wildlife, with birds using it for cover, nesting sites and fruit whilst the flowers attract numerous insects and butterflies. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Maximum height if left unpruned: 6m (19.6ft). Maximum spread: 4m (13ft).