— grows
HOLLY has been used
as a winter decoration
and symbol for more
than 2,000 years.

First used by the ancient
Druids in Britain, sprigs of
nolly were worn in their hair
when going into the oak
forests to collect mistletoe for
their mid-Winter festivities.

‘The Romans also valucd
holly and created wreaths to
give to fiends on the Roman
holiday of Saturnalia, a day
when they payed homage to
the god Saturn. this |

S ising is pa lore
crept into Christi syinbolism
when Romans began using
holly to disguise their illegal

hristian activities. Later,
when the Koman Empire

advipted Christianity, the holly |

bs ash was part of the tradi-
ons,

~:. n.575 AD. a German
Bishop denounced the use of
holly as a pagan symbol and
succeeded in having it banned
for several centuries. Not until
around 900 did holly come
back into common use. It was
at this time that it also became
a symbol for the crown of
thorns and the blood of
Christ.

In 1600 Shakespeare men-
tions “heigh-ho the hoily,”
and Christmas carol writers
through the ages have revered
to holly extensively. In many
western nations, the holly
wreath or sprig has now
become a symbol of goodwill
and joy. ;

The Latin name for holly is
ilex and is derived from the
Latin name for the Holm Oak

or Quercus ilex, a prickly leated
tree growing in southern
Europe.

There are about 300
species of holly growing, in
both temperate and tropical
zones. Unlike our holly tees,
some species are deciduous
and have black berries instead
of red.

Most holly trees growing,
locally are a variety called
English Holly (Mex
aquifolium) a native of west-
ern Europe. They were first
introduced by settlement and
then spread by birds.

Holly seeds must lay ia a
bed of humus for awa to five
years (stratification) before
they germinate. Like many
plants, most holly species are
not self-fertile and need both a
male and female tree for polli-
nation. Unfortunately, most
self-seeded holly trees are male
and produce no berries.

Rather than take a chance
on a self-seeded holly tree pro-
ducing berries, buy a nursery
grown plant that is known to
be self-fertile or a female plant.

The staridard English holly
is plain green and very prickly,
a characteristic that can make
gardening below them very
painful. Once the leaves dry,
they decay very slowly and the
last part to go is the very sharp
spine.

Check the nursery for some
of the hybrid varieties that may
not have sharp spines, but
have more berries and varie-
gated leaves. Look for Mex
aquifolinm Argenteo-margina-
ta, Brownell Supreme, Silver
Queen, Golden King or ex
agquipernyi San Jose.

dlex crenata (Japanese
holly) comes in several forms
including one variegated type.
Most are self-fruiting and pro-
duce black berries.

A new hybrid holly from
New York that has gained
popularity is Ilex meserveae —
a cross between I. rugosa
(Japan) and I. aquifolium
(England) that has a blue-

THE Romans valued holly
Roman holiday of Saturnal

green foliage. Most holly
species prefer a well-drained
acidic soil and full sun. They
will grow in less than ideal
conditions but may be more
susceptible to some of the

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common insects and diseases
such as Bud Moth, Leafminer,
Scale, Root Weevil and Leaf
and Twig Blight.

Commercial growers start
cutting holly for che festive
season in carly December and
ship it in sealed plastic bags to
retain moisture. Sprigs of holly
used in the house will dry out

- quickly but if placed in hang-

ing baskets, window boxes and
planters, they should last.

Not all holly is grown for
its Jeaves and berries. Mature

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(above) and created wreaths ta give to friends on the
ta, a day when they payed homage to the god Saturn.

wood from the trees is used
for carving and irday because
of its light color and fine grain.
The leaves of one species, Hex
paraguensis, srown in south-
ern South America is used to
produce a popular tea bever-
age called Yerba Mate.

This year when you deco-
rate with holly, remember the
long history that goes with the
plant.

From the Flock
at

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Christopher, Lillian and Sox.

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