Ilex aquifolium 'SILVER VAN TOL' English holly - female

Silver van Tol is a gorgeous and hard to find variety of holly. It is a sport of JC van Tol but this new one has variegated foliage. Silver van Tol bears evergreen, leathery and very glossy leaves that are deep green in the centre and creamy to white along the margins. They are usually spineless, only the tip is a bit sharp-ish. It is a female variety producing red berries in autumn if a male pollinator is nearby.

Variegated hollies are versatile in use. They can stand alone as attractive, medium-sized specimen shrubs, or they can be a part of a large mixed border or landscape combined with other evergreen plans such as conifers, rhododendrons or cherry laurels. Silver van Tol naturally forms a pyramidal-shaped shrub but is often grafted on short stems to achieve a tree-like appearance in which case the crown is often sheared to somewhat rounded shapes. Pruning in April will encourage new growths, trimming by end July is ideal for shaping.

Grow hollies in moist but well-drained, light and fertile soil. They can take periods of drought once established. Hollies do best in full sun but can also grow in shade. If you live in a region with cold winters and long-lasting frost we recommend growing it in position sheltered from drying winds, and preferably shaded from winter sun. Before and during winter when the soil is not frozen provide good watering. Hardy to -24°C (USDA zone 6), it withstands occasional swings a little lower.

Last update 03-02-2012