Mark A. Miller
Family
Aquifoliaceae
Botanical Name
ILEX aquifolium 'Amber'
Plant Common Name
Amber English Holly, English Holly
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Glossy green foliage and a prolific crop of pale yellow to light apricot-colored berries are noteworthy features of the Amber English holly.
This is the classic holly species that you see decorating English winter landscapes and decorative holiday displays. The glossy, dark green leaves of English holly trees have long, sharp undulating spines, but on 'Amber' the leaves may be less spined on occasion. They are pretty all year around but are most alluring in fall and winter when their cheerful berries appear. The tall trees are pyramidal broadleaf evergreens that originate from southern and western Europe, western Asia and regions in northern Africa.
The oval leaves are glossy dark green with a few flat or wavy, sharp-tipped edges. Its small, fragrant flowers are creamy white and appear in spring. Most hollies are dioecious, which means plants have either male or female flowers. Nearby male trees' flowers are needed for bee pollination and fruit set on the female 'Amber'. Fruits develop a light yellow hue blushed with faint orange. They persist deep into winter among the leaves. The berries are eventually eaten by hungry winter birds, but after red holly berries are first stripped from the landscape.
Grow 'Amber' in full or partial sun in a well-drained, fertile soil with an acid to neutral pH. Highly alkaline soils will cause nutritional deficiencies and chlorotic foliage and too much shade will induce leggy growth and sparse foliage. Mature specimens will tolerate drought and summer heat. This tall holly works well along large foundations and makes a superb specimen plant. Its pretty boughs can be cut and enjoyed indoors for holiday decorating.
English holly self-sows in favorable climates, and is considered a weed in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
25'-40' / 7.6m - 12.2m (30)
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Width
20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m (20)
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Pyramidal
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Ivory
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Fruit Color
Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
Yes
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
