Native American hollies have been widely cultivated - there are literally hundreds of specimens available. Most nurseries stock hollies which are proven hardy for their specific area. Sometimes plants appear in stock before the weather is warm enough for planting, so don't get over-eager! Check the cold hardiness map, and have a look at the last five spring frost dates. Hollies can be planted later rather than sooner, but once you put them in, leave them where they are.
Some years I have lots of berries, other years very few. Hot, dry spells discourage flowering - and if the weather gets really hot, the evening temperatures may not provide sufficient heat relief. Under these conditions, many plants will not bear fruit at all. Vegetables as well as fruiting ornamentals suffer when high tempetatures persist. This causes major stress on the plants, and it takes all their energy just to keep going. Respiration can be aided with regular watering, but high ambient temperatures will cause propagation to shut down.
SIMPLY PUT:
- Fewer flowers=less pollination=fewer berries (or pole beans, or squash.)
I grew up hearing this condition called "blossom arrest." Usually the tomatoes and beans are the first vicitims of a dry spell- there is a flush of bloom, but the flowers never set fruit. We had summer like this in my Zone 7 in 1998, and our Extension Services received an overload of calls about muscadines, peppers and tomatoes that wouldn't complete fruition, though they were covered with flowers. Many frustrated gardeners added fertilzers, and used hormone sprays, all to no avail. Green things know when conditions aren't right, and they tell you!
I knew it would be a bad year for berries. Hollies which were located in a shady, northern, or moist exposure were the only ones with something to show at Christmas.
Having said all THAT, I enjoyed my green hollies with yellow and white pansies at their feet, and white tulips almost glowing in the dark against the glossy leaves. I walked outside by a full moon last night, and there was still a sight to see in the holly corner. Some net spots to see-with pictures hollies, and plant descriptions: Wilkerson Mill Garden
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