Decking the Halls with Boughs of Holly

The tradition of decorating with holly in the U.S. at Christmastime can be attributed to the Pilgrims, according to the Western North Carolina Nature Center's Web site. 

When they landed in Massachusetts during the holiday time of year and found the American variety to be similar to the English variety, which had been a symbol of Christmas throughout England and Europe, they continued the tradition. Today, hollies, which belong to the genus Ilex, are not only used as decoration during the holiday season, but also as ornamental plantings.

"There are quite a few varieties," explained Dave Gindek of Young's Nursery in Wilton. Most varieties are evergreens. "Unlike most hollies though, the winterberry is deciduous, which drops its leaves in the fall,"  he said.

"Most people think of holly as the spiny leaf Christmas holly," said Gindek. 

An example of this is the Blue Holly. This is a type of holly that produces those brilliant red berries everyone loves during Christmastime. A male and female are required for fruit bearing. 

Although the same variety is needed for pollination, Gindek explained that having both on your property isn't always necessary. 

"Bees pollinate roughly around a mile, so chances are a neighbor has a holly that can be used,"  he said.

This is especially beneficial for homeowners who like the look of the holly leaves but are concerned about kids and the holly's possibly poisonous berries. If you get a male, there won't be any berries and the problem is solved. 

Hollies also can grow to a wide range of sizes, from short shrubs to trees towering 30 to 40 feet tall.

Hollies are relatively easy to maintain. Gindek suggests pruning, especially because the holly can be affected by a common pest called white flies and good air circulation can help control them. Hollies are very tolerant to heavy pruning and you can make it an Edward Scissorhands-like event. 

"You can shape them into whatever you want," said Gindek. "Cats, dogs and even geometric shapes."