How to plant and care for Holly (J.C. van Tol)

Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. van Tol'

🌳 Tree 🔁 Perennial

A self-fertile holly with almost spineless glossy leaves and reliable crops of red winter berries — no male plant needed.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant the Tree
Plant at the same depth it grew in its pot, in a hole twice as wide as the root ball, 3 m (60 cm for a hedge) from other trees. Firm and water well.
0–1 days after “Plant the Tree”
Stake and Tie
Drive a short stake in on the windward side and fix it with a soft tree tie. Loosen the tie each spring so it never cuts into the bark.
0–2 days after “Stake and Tie”
Water In Deeply
Soak the root area with a full can, then keep the soil moist (not wet) for the first few weeks.
7–21 days after “Water In Deeply”
Mulch the Base
Spread 5–8 cm of compost or bark mulch in a 1 m circle, keeping it clear of the trunk.

August
Clip to Shape
Clip to shape in late summer if grown as a hedge or topiary.
December
Winter Berries
Cut a few berried sprigs for Christmas — leave plenty for the birds.