Garden

Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. van Tol' (f)

A self-fertile female holly with glossy foliage and bright red berries.

Care notes by theboxerge Updated October 15, 2026

About this plant

This holly combines glossy evergreen foliage with red berries and a broadly upright shape. It is self-fertile, so a separate male holly is not essential for berries, although weather and flowering still affect the display.

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun or partial shade.
Watering: Water during establishment and prolonged dry spells; check container plants more often.
Soil: Well-drained soil with enough moisture for new roots to establish.

Plan your care

Choose it for a long-term evergreen structure, not a small seasonal gap. Allow for tree-sized growth or plan regular shaping while the plant is young.

If berries are a priority, avoid treating every shoot as hedge material: repeated clipping removes flowering and fruiting growth. A lack of berries on one young plant is not by itself evidence that it needs a pollination partner.