Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak - Evergreen Trees Direct

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

$620.00

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Size: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 1.4m – 1.6m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 20m

Mature Width: 10m to 15m

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (slow–moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Quercus ilex, the Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak, is a dense evergreen with small leathery leaves, dark green above and felted silver grey beneath, so the whole canopy shifts colour in a breeze. Left to its own devices it builds a broad rounded crown on a short, sturdy trunk.

It is a Mediterranean tree and behaves like one. Full sun, sharp drainage, and real tolerance of drought, salt wind and light to moderate frost once established. Growth is slow at roughly 20 to 40 centimetres a year, and mature size is 10 to 20 metres tall by 10 to 15 metres wide.

Coastal properties, exposed rural driveways, civic plantings and formal gardens all use it, and it is one of the few oaks that clips willingly into a hedge, a block or a standard. Slow growth is the trade for a tree that will outlast the building it shelters.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Holm Oak

What is a Holm Oak?

Quercus ilex is an evergreen oak from the Mediterranean, also called the Evergreen Oak or Holly Oak. Its small leathery leaves are dark green on top and silver grey and felted underneath, and juvenile leaves often carry spiny margins. It builds a dense rounded crown on a stout trunk and lives for centuries.

How big does a Holm Oak grow?

Mature trees reach 10 to 20 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, though it takes a very long time to get there. Because it responds well to clipping, it is often held at a much smaller size as a hedge, a squared block or a lollipop standard.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, roughly 20 to 40 centimetres a year, and slower again on poor dry soil. This is why advanced stock is usually specified rather than small plants. The upside is dense wood, tight foliage and a tree that holds a clipped shape for a long time between cuts.

Is it suitable for coastal positions?

It is one of the better trees for exposed coastal sites. It handles salt laden wind, sandy soil and reflected heat, and its root system anchors it firmly in loose ground. Front line beach positions still call for a windbreak while it establishes, but from the second row back it thrives.

Can Holm Oak be clipped into a hedge or screen?

Yes, it is one of the classic evergreen hedging oaks in Europe. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen or 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, and clip once or twice a year in late spring and again in late summer to keep the face flat.

Does it drop leaves?

It is evergreen and never goes bare, but it does shed a portion of its older leaves in spring as the new growth comes through. The leaves are small, leathery and slow to break down, so a light annual rake under the canopy is worth planning for near paths and pools.

How do I care for a Holm Oak?

Give it full sun and drainage above all else, since wet feet are the one thing it will not accept. Water through the first two summers, then largely leave it alone. Mulch annually, feed lightly in spring if growth stalls, and clip or prune in late spring once the frost risk has passed.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Screening or Privacy
Council or Civic Landscapes

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak Evergreen or Deciduous?

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 20m

Mature Width: 10m to 15m

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (slow–moderate).

Growth Rate of Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (slow–moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate
Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak frost tolerant?

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak Flower?

Quercus ilex produces small, inconspicuous catkins in spring. These modest flowers are not ornamental and are followed by the classic oak acorns, which add subtle seasonal interest. The species is prized for its year-round foliage, strong architectural form and ability to maintain a lush green canopy in all seasons.

Does Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak an Australian Native Tree?

No

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is Native to The Mediterranean region, including southern Europe and North Africa, where Quercus ilex grows naturally in coastal woodlands and dry rocky hills.

What is the Wildlife Value of Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak ?

Its dense, evergreen canopy provides excellent shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the leathery foliage supports a variety of beneficial insects that contribute to a healthy ecosystem. The acorns also offer a seasonal food source for birds and wildlife, making the Holm Oak a highly valuable habitat tree in both gardens and larger landscapes.

How much Sunlight does Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak need?

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Quercus ilex performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with a neutral to alkaline pH. It will also tolerate poorer, drier soils provided drainage remains adequate. Avoid heavy clay or compacted ground unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can restrict root health and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak Drought Tolerant?

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish thoroughly. Once established, Holm Oak develops excellent drought tolerance and thrives in hot, dry conditions, thanks to its tough evergreen leaves and deep root system. It maintains strong vigour and canopy density with minimal supplementary watering, even in exposed or coastal sites.

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How To Plant Your Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (slow–moderate).

Slow Growth Rate
Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak in Different Soil

Quercus ilex performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.