Holly? It isn't Christmas!

The main areas in which I have spent more money than time have been in the "quality for dollars" portions of my garden, the backbone plants. The trick here is finding specimens you like which do well when transplanted at a good size for your use. Some camellias, sasanquas and evergreen shrubs are choices to consider. A perfect additon to shrubs are small to medium sized trees. When planted at a fairly good size, they add height and structure, quickly.

Native evergreen hollies (ilex spp.) , have been used as anchor plants since the first ornamental gardens were established in this country. Why? When used a hedge material, their prickly leaves discouraged intruders. Deer don't seem to like them. They have year round "interest," a fancy garden term meaning : they have something to add to your garden through all four seasons. And, most important to 18th century gardeners, they were already thriving here. This was critical; in those days most of the garden was, of neccessity, focused on producing food for human and animal consumption. Ornamental plants which could be used as pest deterrents were the among the first specimens to be cultivated.

Spring is the time to transplant hollies, with as large a root ball as is possible. Watering deeply over the first growing season will keep them going. A slow overnight drip from a hose once a week (without heavy rain) will keep the root ball nice and moist. I've also added the use of evergreen tree fertilizer spikes, with very good results.

I have a wonderful accent with a trio of Nellie R. Stevens (I. Cornuta hybrid) as it retains a soft pyramid shape, naturally. I did buy 10-footers and had the nursery install them, but in terms of time and MY energy, I felt the price worthwhile. I also got great vertical plane results right away...the eye follows the line to the top of a pyramid. 'Nellie Stevens' is hardy through Zone 9, and reaches a height of 12 to 15 feet.

Holly berries are also attractive to birds. In order to produce berries, a male and a compatible female of most species must co-exist iwithin a 40 foot diameter for pollination, the berry instigatior, to take place. Take care when choosing your specimens! A good nursery or plant catalog can help you in making correct selections.

Another source for information is the Holly Society of America: http://www.hollysocam.org/

Of course, no holly fan can help but remind you of the value their berries have in holiday decorations...and that's true, they offer great seasonal color. BUT--the branches and leaves are terrific in all green flower arrangements, used with other evergereens or early spring blooms. In my Zone 7, I 'm using American holly (I.Opaca hybrid) with juniper and Acuba in one of these. The red berries are on the acuba!

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