Ilex Aquifolium Alaska (Holly Alaska)

The Ilex Aquifolium Alaska is very similar to its relative the Ilex Aquifolium. However, the Ilex Alaska grows cone-shaped and is much more resistant to cold temperatures. Furthermore, the plant is evergreen and there is always something to see in your garden. If it is not the colors, it will be birds, bees and butterflies. And you will not find people and animals that do not belong in your garden. This is because the shrub is almost impenetrable and does not inviting to crawl through it because of the spiky leaves.

Tips

The Ilex Aquifolium Alaska hedge can be placed anywhere: in the sun, partial shade or shade.
The plant likes to be in moist soil. Water twice a week during dry, warm periods. Not that much, because the roots can rot if the soil is too wet.
Plant the hedge in nutritious, slightly acidic soil.

Placement

This holly can grow to about 5 to 6 meters high. The plants therefore need enough space to grow. Plant three to five plants per linear meter.
The plant only grows 15 to 20 cm annually. So you do not often have to remove the pruning shears from the garden house or garage. Patience is a virtue and that certainly applies to the Ilex Aquifolium Alaska. It takes a while before you have a high and dense hedge.

Advice & Care

• Give the Ilex Aquifolium Alaska enough water. Note: it does not like it when you give too much water.
• Prune once a year. Do you want a narrow hedge? In that case we recommend that you prune twice a year, preferably in April and September.
• Prune with pruning shears. Do this in cloudy weather. Not in full sunlight, because then the leaves can burn.
• Tip: put on gloves and protective clothing (long shirt or sweater) before pruning, the spikes are quite sharp.
• The holly does need some help to stay healthy and strong. Fertilize in the spring with special hedge fertilizer. This also stimulates growth and prevents the plants from getting sick or receiving pests.

Conclusion

There is always color and vibrancy in your garden when you plant the beautiful Ilex Aquifolium Alaska. The evergreen hedge gets white flowers and when toe flowers stop blooming it gets red berries. You can imagine that they attract a whole arsenal of animals, such as birds, bees and butterflies. What you will not find in your garden are people and animals that you do not like. That’s an advantage of this holly’s spiky leaves. No one is going to crawl through this dense hedge. So quiet and very safe.