Quercus ilex; Holm Oak

This is a young Holm Oak I found in Parsonage gardens, early April. The evergreen species was intentionally planted as an ornamental tree; the tree is surrounded by other ornamental planting choices. In this scenario, the holm oak appears to be used as a means of a barrier, to create an evergreen border around the garden with various other evergreens. It is not uncommon for holm oaks to be used in this way, as they respond well to pruning, and are often used as hedgerows for this reason. 

It would also seem that the Oak is used to frame the more 'prestige' plants - such as the Cedar of Lebanon which sits centre of the garden. (see post on Cedrus libani). Particularly in the Oaks younger state, passers by can easily look over the Oak and catch a glimpse of the large, mature Cedar behind. However, once the Oak has reached its mature state, it can be expected to reach similar heights to the plants surrounding - creating a far more enclosed space.

This species has pleasant visual aesthetics, presenting yellow flowers in the spring and brown fruits in the autumn. The soils were moist but well drained.