Botanical Name: Quercus ilex
Common Name: Holm Oak / Holly Oak

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Exotic
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Tree
Flower Colour :
Foliage Colour : Dark green
Best Season : All year
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Hardy
Attributes : Good shade tree
Height (m) : 2.5m after 10 years, 20m when mature
Spread (m) : 2.5m after 10 years, 8m when mature
    
Notes: Quercus ilex (Holm oak, Holly oak) is a dome-shaped, slow-growing evergreen tree. Leathery, oval leaves are dark glossy green above and whitish beneath. It has corrugated bark. An excellent shade tree and effective windbreak.

 

One of a large family of deciduous and evergreen trees that grow into attractive shapes. Some have beautiful autumn foliage. The fruit is the well-known acorn, an egg-shaped nut in a cup-shaped husk.

 

Grows well in regions with cold winters and a good summer rainfall. Will grow in drier regions provided it can be kept well watered during dry weather until established. Will also grow in the cold, moist parts of the south-western Cape.

 

Plant at any time of the year in moist, fertile soil mixed with plenty of compost. Needs a sunny position and should be watered regularly. Apply complete fertiliser in spring. Look out for mildew in humid conditions.