Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Argentea' Leaf (07/04/2012, London)
Position: Sun to partial shade (where it may lose its variegation)
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 8m
Eventual Spread: 4m
Hardiness: 6a – 9a
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ is a slow growing, bushy evergreen shrub. Its waxy dark green leaves are broadly edged creamy/ white, they are up to 10cm long and 6cm and broad spiny on the margins and spiny on the upper surface becoming denser towards the tip. Its young twigs are purple in color. Its flowers are dioecious, white and four lobed . Its fruit is a red drupe, up to 10mm in diameter, containing four pits, they are quite bitter to taste.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’, commonly known as the Silver Hedgehog Holly or Hedgehog Holly, was first recorded in 1662 from England.
The etymological root of the binomial name Ilex is derived from the old Latin name for the Holly. Aquifolium is derived from the Latin acus ’needle’ and floium ’leaf’, in reference to the pointed leaves. Ferox is from the Latin means ‘warlike’ alluding to the spiny character of the plant. Argentea is derived from the Latinargentatus meaning ‘adorned with silver’ referring to the color of the leaves.
Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Argentea' (01/04/2012, London)
The landscape architect may find Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ useful as an unusual specimen shrub or as an effective evergreen barrier hedge.
Ecologically, I. aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ is attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given I. aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
I. aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
I. aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ requires little maintenance.