Plant Family
Aquifoliaceae
Ilex
Photo by: GERALD L. KLINGAMAN
Plant Common Name
Holly
General Description
For many people, the word “holly” calls to mind the prickly, evergreen leaves and bright red berries of the traditional holiday staple, English holly. However, the genus Ilex is far more varied, comprising over 400 species distributed in woodlands and open areas throughout temperate, tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Most hollies originate from Central to South America and Asia, however many are also found in Europe, Africa and North America. The many species of Ilex have yielded a tremendous quantity of ornamental cultivars and hybrids, many of which are considered to be indispensible staples for landscapes and gardens. Some hollies have traditionally been valued for their dense, hard, light colored wood, which was once commonly used in the making of such items as cabinetry, chess pieces, and the spinning rods for looms.
Appearing in a range of forms, hollies may be trees, shrubs or climbers, with either evergreen or deciduous foliage. The leaves may be matte, glossy, leathery or paper thin, and have smooth, spiny or scalloped edges. They are typically held alternately on the stems, although some species bear leaves in opposite pairs. Most hollies are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, and a male plant is usually required in order for a female plant to produce fruit. The small, usually inconspicuous flowers appear in loose or tight clusters in the leaf axils (joints between the leaves and stems), and are pollinated by bees or other insects. They are most often white or ivory in color, but green, pink and even lavender-blue forms also exist. Following pollination, the flowers of female plants are followed by small, rounded to egg-shaped, fruits which may be red, yellow, black, orange or white. Frequently showy, the berries may also serve as a source of food to birds and other wildlife, although they are not edible to humans.
The hardiness and culture of hollies are species, cultivar or hybrid dependent, however, most grow best in full to part sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. For best berry production on female plants, a male of the same species should be planted nearby to ensure adequate pollination. Larger tree forms make tremendous landscape specimens, and shrub types are ideal for hedges, mixed borders, foundation plantings or open woodlands. Tender hollies may be grown as tub specimens to be moved indoors for protection in winter.