Side by side
Holly or holly olive? How to tell them apart
Ilex aquifolium · Osmanthus heterophyllus
How to tell them apart – holly: alternate leaves and red berries; holly olive: evergreen shrub with holly-like, spiny leaves that, unlike holly, are opposite, fragrant little white flowers in autumn.
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How do you recognise them?
- Holly
- Evergreen, glossy leaf with spiny edges; red berries in winter.
- Compared with holly olive: alternate leaves and red berries.
- Holly olive
- Evergreen shrub with holly-like, spiny leaves that, unlike holly, are opposite; fragrant little white flowers in autumn.
| Holly | Holly olive | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy dark green, 5–10 cm; wavy edge with sharp spines. Higher up the tree the leaves are often spineless. | Opposite, 3–6 cm, leathery and glossy dark green; young leaves with 1–4 pairs of spiny teeth, older leaves often untoothed. |
| Flowering | May | Small, white, sweetly scented flowers in clusters in the leaf axils, in September–October (September–October). |
| Fruit | Red berries on female trees, from autumn into spring. Poisonous to humans. | Bluish-black drupes, rare in our climate. |
| Bark | Smooth and grey, even on old trees. | Greyish-brown and smooth. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 3–15 m | Shrub, 2–4 m |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | March–April and July–August | April–June |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Holly is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Holly is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Holly
- Plant profile: Holly olive
- Holly: when and how to prune
- Holly olive: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Holly or Japanese holly
- Holly or cherry laurel
- Holly or Oregon grape
- Holly or holm oak
- Oregon grape or holly olive
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.