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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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English Holly for Christmas |
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December 19, 2001 "Deck the halls with boughs of Holly" is a familiar refrain from an old Welch air. English Holly with its glossy evergreen leaves and bright red berries has long been associated with Christmas. There are more than 400 varieties of Holly, however it is English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) we are most familar with. In ancient Rome, Holly was gathered to celebrate a solstice feast known as Saturnalia. The Roman's believed Holly was a protection from witchcraft and lightning strikes. Boughs of Holly were sent to their friends. Celts considered Holly as a "Holy" plant perhaps explaining the derivation of its common name. When English monks adapted some of the pagan rituals to the Christian calendar, Holly became an intrinsic element of the Christmas celebration. One ancient myth has Holly springing from the footsteps of Christ on the road to Galgotha, the red berries symbolizing His blood and the spiny leaves His crown of thorns. In folk remedies Holly extracts have been used for dizziness, hypertension and in treatment of cancers. Recent studies in Ireland have found extracts made from the root and bark of English Holly contain promising chemicals for treatment of skin cancers. The wood of Holly is used in making black piano keys because of its solid, grainless appearance. Remember though that red berries of Mistletoe and Holly are poisonous. Evergreen Hollies can be heart and soul of a winter garden making a fine backdrop in a border. Holly is happy in full sun or partial shade with a moist, acid, fertile soil. Spring is the best time for planting, digging a hole twice the size of the rootball, and adding a well composted organic matter. Mulch and water well the first year. A high nitrogen fertilizer (10-6-4) is recommended. Pruning is not necessary, however an early spring or a before-Christmas pruning encourages bushiness and helps maintain the plant's shape. Hollies bear male and female flowers on separate plants. One male plant is needed for every five to seven female plants. The female plant will not produce berries if there is no male Holly nearby. The only sure way to determine the sex is to examine the tiny exquisite flower. The female flower contains a tiny ball in the center while the male flower does not. Blue Prince (male) and Blue Princess (female) are two Hollies that grow well in Yates County. So deck your halls with a bit of Holly this Christmas season. A little pruning will do the plant some good and you will have a bit of Holly and history. Master Gardeners are available year round to answer your home, garden and grounds questions. Please contact the Master Gardeners by calling the Cooperative Extension office at 315.536.5123. To visit past articles written by Yates County Master Gardeners visit www.cce.cornell.edu/yates/mgindex.htm. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
