There is this Holly tree I keep seeing. It’s variegated with dark leaves and pale edges, but then on top of it is a pale leaved sport. I think it might be genetic. A mutation which has lost some of its chlorophyll.

Holly’s come in male and female types. There are many varieties and some have berries in the autumn and winter but some don’t.

I like their glossy, shiny leaves. Spikes can occur just round the edges but also across the surface of the leaves. They are an evergreen species so don’t lose their leaves. This can be a problem in a small garden as they can shade out other plants.

I have a variegated one which has had its lower branches chopped off to let light in. Unfortunately it is top heavy and the crown of it is bending over towards the ground. We gave also cut the lower branches of a dark green Holly Bush/tree but that is bushing out at the top and shading more garden. My idea was to trim them to look more like tall cylinders but they got out of hand and they are too prickly to easily cut back!