Ilex mitis flowers Condensed Version:

The Cape holly is a truly beautiful medium-sized evergreen tree with a gracefully rounded crown of glossy, dark green leaves. It has a lovely straight trunk, and when young its smooth bark is almost white, developing gnarled outgrowths with age. In spring and early summer massed clusters of small but sweetly scented white flowers appear. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees and the flowers are not very showy, but in autumn and winter the female trees bear heavy crops of small red holly-like berries. It is variable in size, depending on the climate where it is growing, but in cultivation it usually remains a small to medium-sized tree that seldom grows taller than 8m.

It does not have an invasive root system, making it an ideal shade tree, and because it can be clipped into almost any shape, it makes an excellent hedge or windbreak. These qualities also make the Cape holly suitable for smaller gardens.  

The Cape holly thrives in regions with temperate summers and good rainfall, but is hardy to frost and grows in gardens throughout the country. Although it loves moisture, it will also tolerate long periods of drought, but to look its best in the garden it needs to be watered regularly during dry spells. Plant it in a sheltered position, in full sun or semi-shade. If you prepare the planting holes well, ensuring that the soil is deep and fertile, the Cape holly is relatively fast growing (about 80cm per year).

Fruiting cannot be guaranteed because young seedlings cannot be sexed, so to ensure that you have females, plant a few of these trees and remove the extra male plants at a later stage.

Ilex mitis berries Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The Cape holly is a truly beautiful medium-sized evergreen tree with a gracefully rounded crown of glossy, dark green leaves, carried on plum-coloured stalks, and the first flush of new growth is reddish-brown. It has a lovely straight trunk, and when young its smooth bark is almost white, developing gnarled outgrowths with age. In spring and early summer (October to February) massed clusters of small but sweetly scented white flowers appear. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees and the flowers are not very showy, but in autumn and winter (April to July), the female trees bear heavy crops of small red holly-like berries, that attract flocks of fruit eating birds, as well as butterflies.

There are over 500 species in the holly family, mostly from Asia and tropical America; occurring in temperate and subtropical forests. Ilex mitis is the only species in South Africa and is a close relative of the European holly but it does not have the characteristic, sharply spiny leaves. It is very widely distributed in Africa, growing in all the provinces of South Africa, and also in Swaziland and Lesotho. A truly beautiful tree of the woods and forests, the Cape holly flourishes in moist spots in the forests and on the banks of rivers and streams, from sea level to the high mountains.

Because its range is so vast, it is also variable in size, depending on the climate where it is growing. For example, in the Knysna forest it can easily reach heights of 18m with a trunk diameter of 0.6m, but in drier regions its growth is stunted. In cultivation it usually remains a small to medium-sized tree that seldom grows taller than 8m.

Uses:

The wood is a pale tan and suitable for carving, making implement handles, in the construction of wagons, and was once even used to make heels for ladies shoes. It was also used for fuel.
If the leaves are rubbed together in water they will lather, and this was once used by the Knysna woodcutters to wash themselves in forest streams, and this is also referred to in the Zulu name iPhuphuma, which means 'it foams out'; and in the Venda name mutanzwa-khamelo, which means 'milk-pail washer'.

In the Garden:

This beautiful medium-sized tree does not reach enormous heights, nor does it have an invasive root system, making it ideal for most gardens as a shade tree for hot summer days. It is also relatively fast-growing and transplants well, making it useful if you’re looking for quick results. Because it tends to be very bushy, some shaping when young will ensure good symmetry.

The Cape holly can be clipped into almost any shape and size, making it perfect for formal gardens, and if it is planted closely together, it can be pruned into an excellent hedge or windbreak. These qualities also make the Cape holly suitable for smaller gardens, where it can be kept to any size.  

Because the Cape holly loves water, plant it next to a stream or pond if you have one. It also looks beautiful if planted in groves, and because young specimens have an attractive whitish bark, this tree makes a good indigenous substitute for the silver birch.

The Cape Holly would works equally well when planted as an avenue or street tree, and is particularly suitable for smaller roads.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The Cape holly thrives in regions with temperate summers and good rainfall, but is hardy to frost and grows in gardens throughout the country. Although it loves moisture, it will also tolerate long periods of drought, but to look its best in the garden it needs to be watered regularly during dry spells.

Plant it in a sheltered position in the garden, in full sun or semi-shade. If you prepare the planting holes well, ensuring that the soil is deep and fertile, and mulch the roots seasonally with compost, and feed with a balanced organic fertiliser in spring, the Cape holly is relatively fast growing (about 80cm per year).

Fruiting cannot be guaranteed because young seedlings cannot be sexed, so to ensure that you have females, plant a few of these trees and remove the extra male plants at a later stage.

Fresh seed can be collected from underneath the tree to sow, but germination is erratic, taking 8 to 20 days. Sow into trays with a soil mixture containing a 1:1 mixture of river sand and compost. Cover the seed lightly with the soil mix and keep it damp until germination occurs. The seedlings need to be transplanted into a mix of sand and compost in bags at the two-leaf stage.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

None known.

Warning:

The seeds are considered to be toxic but no deaths are recorded.