Thank you to Susan for yet again providing us with an interesting article about our flower of the month.
Holly
With holly and ivy
So green and so gay,
We deck up our houses
As fresh as the day.
With bays and rosemary, and laurel
complete,
And everyone now
Is a king in conceit.
-
Unknown
The
English Holly, Ilex aquifolium, and the American Holly, Ilex opaca, are common
symbols of Christmas time. Images of this plant decorate greeting cards,
wrapping papers, dishes, glasses, vases and linens which we display during the
holiday season. “Deck the halls with boughs of holly” describes the ancient
tradition of incorporating the holly, with its green leaves and bright red
berries, (traditional colors of Christmas) into wreaths, garlands and
centerpieces. It is said that branches of holly were brought into the home
during Roman times to celebrate the festival of Saturnalia, which took place during
the winter solstice. Many beliefs and superstitions advocated bringing branches
of holly inside to protect the home against malevolent elves and fairies or to
enable benevolent fairies to live in the home among humans during the cold
weather. Planted outside the home or barn, holly was said to protect against
lightening strikes. Modern science confirms that the spines of the holly leaves
are able to conduct electricity to the ground, which protects the area
surrounding them.
The
homeowner has reason to plant hollies near the home and around the property for
their great ornamental value as well. The English Holly, with its glossy dark
green leaves, is highly ornamental year round and the yellow, orange or red berries
on female plants during the autumn and winter months provide cheer when it is
sorely needed. Birds eat the fruit, which adds another attractive dimension.
The English Holly has over 400 cultivars so there is a variety which will fit
your location and taste. Leaves are usually a dark green but plants can be
purchased which have blue-green, white variegated or yellow variegated foliage.
Stems can be green or purple. Berries are various shades of red, orange or
yellow, depending on the variety. Size can range from a foot to fifty feet in
height.
Hollies
of all species need acid soil that is well drained and rich in organic matter.
They do best in partial shade but will tolerate full sun in cooler climates.
Protect them from wind which tends to desiccate the leaves, especially during
the winter months, causing them to turn brown. Most hollies are dioecious which
means they bear male and female flowers on different plants. If you want your
hollies to bear fruit, be sure to have a male holly planted within a few
hundred feet of it. One male holly plant can produce enough pollen to fertilize
up to six female plants.
Holly
berries, though eaten by birds, are toxic to humans. Bees make a reddish
colored honey from the flowers, which is described as mild, sweet and buttery
in flavor. The wood of holly is extremely hard and ivory in color. It is used
for inlaid marquetry, and takes stain beautifully. It has been used to make
walking sticks, riding whips, tool, broom and brush handles, chess pieces and
piano keys.
This
spring, plant a holly somewhere on your property. The ornamental qualities will
delight you and you will have branches to bring inside each December.
Challenge:
Take photos of the holly adorned Christmas decorations which are part of your
particular “decking the halls” tradition. If you have an heirloom piece, please
tell us something about it.
Merry
Christmas to all of you!
Link your challenge results using the Linky below.
