Ilex aquifolium 'Hachzwerg' HECKENZWERG® English holly - male

Heckenzwerg? is a fantastic holly novelty bred by Holger Hachmann in early 1990’s as a cross between Myrtifolia holly and common holly. It was introduced in 2009 and patented under No. PP22,979 three years later. It is a compact, slow growing, mound-forming holly with narrow, highly glossy, deep green leaves with marginal teeth, curled a little at tips.

It can be trimmed or clipped in mid-summer. Pruning that will encourage new growths is advised early in the spring (after the frosts). Thanks to its small size and compact habit it will fit even the smallest of gardens or a large pot. It will look great in a rockery, or combined with larger shrubs of different foliage colours and small trees with short stems. The best display, however, will be if surrounded by heath of various colours.

As every holly it needs fertile, acidic, moist but well-drained soil. It is very hardy and does not suffer with sunscald in winter so you can place in both full sun and part shade. In shaded locations it will become somewhat irregular and leggy. It is very hardy and withstands temperatures down to about -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 08-02-2013