Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’

Ilex aquifolium, the common holly, is native to the UK and much of Europe and has been cultivated for hundreds of years, producing a great many varieties. A number of these are most impressive and this is one notable example, Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’. Awarded an AGM by the RHS, it is understandably widely seen in cultivation.

There are several examples in the Gardens, and this specimen can be found on the edge of the Victorian Garden marked D on the downloadable map, alongside the main path leading from the Clarkehouse Road entrance towards Thompson Road.  

In general plants of the Ilex genus bear unisexual flowers and are either male or female (known as ‘dioecious’). ‘Argentea Marginata’ is a columnar female tree to 14m with young shoots a purplish pink, and lustrous dark green leaves with wide cream margins, bearing masses of bright red berries lasting through the autumn into winter, making it an impressive and splendid tree.

It is also beneficial for a range of wildlife with nectar and pollen-rich flowers, whilst also providing shelter and berries for birds.

Although we tend to think of Ilex aquifolium as a very British and European native plant, the family to which it belongs, Aquifoliaceae, contains around 500-600 species worldwide with centres of diversity in South America and Southeast Asia. It however only has one genus – Ilex.