Ilex aquifolium 'LICHTENTHALII' European holly

Lichtenthalii is a cultivar of European holly whose origins remain shrouded in mystery. You may come across it here and there in collectors’ gardens, occasionally in arboreta devoted to evergreen trees, but no one can tell you where it truly came from. Its name points to Lichtenthal near Baden‑Baden in Germany, yet nothing more is known. Perhaps, behind the walls of the local Cistercian monastery founded in the 13th century, secret botanical experiments once took place, however, their records were locked away in a private library. All we know is that it is no teenager, for at Wakehurst Place in Sussex, England, there already stands a large, venerable specimen. Or did this holly arise as a chance mutation in a monastic garden, from which some curious botanist once snatched a twig and began propagating it without the monks’ knowledge? Later, gnawed by conscience, did he at least name it after the monastery? Or perhaps… well, let us leave that veil of mystery unlifted. It is precisely this aura of secrecy that lends the plant its special charm – like the enigma of the Mona Lisa.

The holly ‘Lichtenthalii’ is rightly considered a collector’s gem, for it is fascinating and unlike any other. It bears evergreen, narrowly elongated leaves, typically slightly twisted, wavy, or curled, giving a more delicate impression than those of common hollies. They are leathery, very glossy, and firm to the touch. The margins are irregularly spiny in youth, becoming almost entire – perfectly smooth – with age. Their dark green surface contrasts with a lighter midrib that accentuates their shape. In spring, small white flowers appear, attracting pollinating insects. As a female cultivar, it may, in the presence of a male plant, produce red berries that ripen in autumn and persist into winter, though fruiting is not always regular. The berries are inedible to mildly toxic for humans, but a welcome winter feast for birds.

Overall, this is a slow‑growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense, spreading to rounded habit. It is sometimes nicknamed the “hedgehog holly” depicting its unusual shape. At maturity it usually reaches about two to three meters in height and width. With its subtle foliage and compact growth, it makes a rare and striking specimen, especially suited to smaller gardens and collections. Any pruning is best carried out in early spring before new growth begins, but after the hardest frosts have passed.

Hollies should be grown in full sun or partial shade; they will tolerate shade but lose their form there. They require acidic to neutral, light and well‑drained, nutrient‑rich soil (especially fruiting cultivars), which remains moist but never waterlogged – they dislike prolonged drought. Clay in the upper soil layers is usually unsuitable, so it is better to plant make a raised bed for them in such case and backfill with a mixture of native soil and quality acidic substrate. By contrast, clay in deeper layers, once the roots reach it, is beneficial. In poorer soils, feeding is important, and the use of mycorrhizal fungi at planting is even more crucial. Before and during winter, whenever the ground is not frozen, watering is recommended. ‘Lichtenthalii’ is hardy to at least –24 °C and can withstand short spells a few degrees lower (USDA zone 6).

Last update 03-10-2025