What does it look like?
Holly is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 12 metres tall. It has glossy, dark green leaves that grow alternately along the stem. The leaves are paler underneath and have thick, wavy edges with sharp spines.
Small white flowers appear in clusters in spring, from October to November. These are followed in winter by round, bright red berries, which are a key identifying feature of the plant.
Why is it a problem?
Holly is a large, long‑lived plant that can grow in many different conditions. It tolerates most soil types, prefers drained ground, and can grow well in shade. Once established, it competes with native plants for light, water, and nutrients.
Holly can spread by producing new shoots from its roots and by branches rooting when they touch the ground. This allows it to form dense thickets that create deep shade, making it difficult for native plants to grow and regenerate.
Holly also spreads by seed, which is carried to new areas by birds. Together, this means it’s hard to control once established.
Control methods
Physical control
Hand pull seedlings and small plants (all year round): mulch or dispose at refuse transfer station.
Herbicide control
- Swab stumps (all year round): Cut down and paint freshly cut stumps with glyphosate (200ml/L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (200ml/L). Dispose of cut material at refuse transfer station. Or,
- Bore and fill (spring-summer): Make one downward angled hole every 5-10 cm around the trunk. Fill each hole with 1.5 ml per hole with a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (undiluted). Or,
- Frilling (all year round): With a sharp chisel or axe, make a deep cut into the sapwood at five cm intervals around the base of the tree, taking care not to ring-bark the plant. Immediately saturate the cuts with 1.5 ml of a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (undiluted) or glyphosate (200ml/L). Or,
- Monitor the site and treat regrowth and seedlings. If possible, search out and eliminate the source of the infestation. Plants with seed must be buried deeply, burnt, or disposed of at a refuse transfer station. Follow up at six-monthly intervals to complete eradication.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
More information
Also known as 'English Holly'. The fruit are poisonous and ingestion can be fatal.
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