David Austin Rose vs Holly

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

David Austin Rose

Rosa 'Graham Thomas'

Rosaceae · flowers

Medium Maintenance

Holly

Ilex opaca

Aquifoliaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

David Austin Rose (Zones 5-10)

Holly (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	David Austin Rose	Holly
Scientific Name	Rosa 'Graham Thomas'	Ilex opaca
Family	Rosaceae	Aquifoliaceae
Category	flowers	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Acidic, Well-drained
Height	5'	40'
Spread	4'	20'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Slow
Native Region	Hybrid (England)	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

David Austin Rose

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Holly

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

David Austin Rose

✓Prune to shape in late winter.
✓Benefits from regular feeding.
✓Provide good air circulation.
✓Can be trained as a short climber on pillar or wall.

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose David Austin Rose if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–10.

Choose Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View David Austin RoseProfile →View HollyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can David Austin Rose and Holly grow in the same hardiness zone?

David Austin Rose grows in USDA zones 5-10, while Holly grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do David Austin Rose and Holly have the same sun and water needs?

David Austin Rose needs full sun and medium water, while Holly needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, David Austin Rose or Holly?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to David Austin Rose at 5'. Holly spreads 20' while David Austin Rose spreads 4'.

Are David Austin Rose and Holly deer resistant?

Holly is deer resistant, but David Austin Rose is not. If deer are a concern, Holly is the better choice, or protect David Austin Rose with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, David Austin Rose or Holly?

David Austin Rose has medium maintenance while Holly has low maintenance. Holly may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	David Austin Rose	Holly
Scientific Name	Rosa 'Graham Thomas'	Ilex opaca
Family	Rosaceae	Aquifoliaceae
Category	flowers	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Acidic, Well-drained
Height	5'	40'
Spread	4'	20'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Slow
Native Region	Hybrid (England)	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

David Austin Rose

✓Prune to shape in late winter.
✓Benefits from regular feeding.
✓Provide good air circulation.
✓Can be trained as a short climber on pillar or wall.

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose David Austin Rose if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–10.

Choose Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can David Austin Rose and Holly grow in the same hardiness zone?

David Austin Rose grows in USDA zones 5-10, while Holly grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do David Austin Rose and Holly have the same sun and water needs?

David Austin Rose needs full sun and medium water, while Holly needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, David Austin Rose or Holly?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to David Austin Rose at 5'. Holly spreads 20' while David Austin Rose spreads 4'.

Are David Austin Rose and Holly deer resistant?

Holly is deer resistant, but David Austin Rose is not. If deer are a concern, Holly is the better choice, or protect David Austin Rose with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, David Austin Rose or Holly?

David Austin Rose has medium maintenance while Holly has low maintenance. Holly may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.