Holly (berried)
Ilex aquifolium
A female holly with a thick, gnarled base, a scatter of red berries and a few old ties still on the branches.
Repotting uncovered a thick, flared trunk base under the old soil line.
- Common name
- Holly (berried)
- Section
- Trees & shrubs
- Spot
- Patio (for now)
- Soil
- Nursery compost, topped up with fresh compost
- Options
Bonsai
Bonsai
Bonsai: a thick, flared trunk base and a gnarled lower trunk make it a strong candidate.
- From
- A local nursery (old stock), Oct 2026
- Age
- About 4 years (best guess)
- Next repot
- Around Mar 2027
- Edible
- ❌ No: the berries are poisonous.
- Hardy
- ✅ Fully
- Garden-centre price
- about £20
Did you know?
Most hollies have separate male and female plants. Female plants usually need a compatible male flowering nearby to produce berries, although some cultivars are self-fertile.
Care & updates
- Next root check
- Mar 2027
- Repotted
Repotted for winter. Roots in good order. Clearing the top of the rootball uncovered a thick, flared trunk base; a little of it was left showing and the rest reburied, to be lowered further in spring. Top tidied and dead wood pruned.
After repotting, root flare showing - Observation
Nursery-stock check: scratch-tested alive and shooting.
Root records (2)
View larger, with detailsHealthy; well rootedA dense mat of fine roots around the whole rootball, holding the shape of the nursery pot.
View larger, with detailsRoot flare uncoveredThick, flared trunk base found under the old soil line. A little left exposed, the rest reburied until spring.
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