Ilex aquifolium Silver Queen - Common Holly

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ is a beautiful variety of Common Holly with evergreen, prickly, dark green foliage edged with creamy white. This male bush does not produce fruit but will be decorative all year round thanks to its bright foliage. It will find its place in a natural garden, in isolation, in an informal or defensive hedge, or in the undergrowth. This variety will be perfect for illuminating a somewhat dark corner of the garden.

Ilex aquifolium needs no introduction. It is widespread throughout Europe, from Scandinavia to the Caucasus, from southern Europe to North Africa, from Iran to northern Asia. This immense distribution area clearly underlines the remarkable adaptability of this bush. It is appreciated since time immemorial for the bright red fruiting that adorns the female in winter, a red perfectly highlighted by prickly dark and shiny green foliage. Hollies belong to the Aquifoliaceae family.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’, sometimes marketed under the name of I. aquifolium ‘Argentea Regina’, is a ubiquitous evergreen bush. It prefers deep soils and cool to humid areas, but also adapts to open spaces. It is quite polymorphous, depending on its habitat, adopting the appearance of a large conical bush 5m (16ft) high and 2m (7ft) wide, or the bushier habit of a small tree. With slow growth, it roots deeply into the soil, favouring the development of its root system before producing its branches. The evergreen foliage is composed of tough leaves, 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long, and polymorphous according to the age of the plant or its vigour. The edge of the leaves is undulated and dentate and presents sharp thorns. The lamina is very shiny dark green edged with creamy white to pale-yellow, suffused with pink at budding. Flowering takes place in spring, in May-June, in the leaf axil, in the form of small white to pink flowers, not exceeding 5mm (0.2in) in diameter, gathered in clusters. The flowers are honey-bearing and fragrant. This male bush does not produce fruit. The bark of this small tree is greenish-purple when young, before taking on a grey colour and a smooth appearance. Common holly can live up to 400 to 500 years.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’ will satisfy gardeners who love solid, unpretentious bushes, which remain beautiful all year round. It has the advantage of adapting to many growing conditions while bringing a sculptural touch to the garden. It will be attractive all year round thanks to its bright variegated foliage. It is perfect in a grove, accompanied by a few deciduous shrubs with autumn foliage and conifers with bluish-green foliage for contrast. It can also be planted in a mixed hedge, or in a defensive hedge. It mainly fears dry air and shallow soils. Hardy beyond -15°C (5°F), it particularly likes cool places, in a large natural garden. Plant in cold regions alongside hawthorn, snowberries, and other evergreen hollies.

Hollies are both beloved and little-known plants. The genus comprises nearly 800 deciduous or evergreen species, usually native to the temperate northern hemisphere. These very ancient plants have experienced the alternating glacial and dry, hot periods of our climate history, making them extremely adaptable and resilient plants. Their white to cream wood is very low in water, even when green. It is dense and heavy, but soft and easy to work in cabinet-making. It is also an excellent fuel for heating, even when green. Finally, its foliage and berries (not edible) are rich in caffeine. A tea is made with its leaves in the Black Forest.