did you know?

Holly has long been a part of holiday celebrations?the Druids considered it holy, the Romans used it in the solstice feast Saturnalia, and the Celts gathered it for festive occasions. English monks adapted these pagan celebrations to suit the church, and holly has been a symbol of Christmastime ever since.

general maintenance:

American holly needs little or no pruning. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches and shape as desired or as needed for holiday greens.

pests/diseases:

Holly leaf miner and scale may occur.

controls:

To control leaf miner, rake up all fallen leaves through winter and remove affected leaves. Heavy infestations may require pesticides in spring. To control scale, apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, following label directions.

how to sow/plant:

Choose a sunny to partly sunny site with well-drained soil, making sure there is enough room for shrub to grow to its mature spread. In fall, dig a hole twice the width of container or root ball. Set plant in hole at same depth or slightly higher than it was in pot, or if balled, even with top of root ball. Fill hole around plant with soil. Mound soil to form a 2-inch-high ridge around perimeter of the hole to act as a catchbasin. If plant is balled in synthetic material, carefully remove before planting. Burlap may be left around root ball and peeled back and left in ground once plant is set in hole. Water thoroughly, filling basin and allowing water to settle several times. Spread 2-inch layer of mulch around base of plant.

water and fertilize:

Maintain unifom soil moisture for the first season. Be sure the soil is moist before the ground freezes in the fall. Feed with an all-purpose fertilizer the following spring before growth begins, following label directions.

garden hint:

Hollies are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. To ensure berries in fall, plant a closely related male near female plants.

features:

• Attractive Fruit
• Deer Resistant
• Evergreen
• Native
• Winter Interest

garden uses:

• Edging
• Flowerbed borders (mixed border)

other uses:

• Cut Flower (use branches in winter arrangements)
• winter wreaths, garlands, and swags