“Holly is traditionally a tree that keeps guard over a place, discouraging lightning or warding off magic, and happens to look good close to buildings. Grown as a standard and gently shaped, it is a striking feature all year round, though it begs to be strung with lights in winter,” writes Kendra.
With that kind of an endorsement (and more than 300 species of hollies to choose), it’s hard to resist the urge to plant a holly tree.
Common Holly
Photograph by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr.
Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) has many nicknames including English holly and Christmas holly. In a garland: Red berries, sharp leaves; this is the holly we typically think of when it’s time to deck the hall.
Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) by Harum.Koh via Flickr. In a garland: Give boughs a good rinse before you bring them indoors (spider mites are a common pest).
Japanese Holly
In a garden: A slow-growing evergreen shrub, Ilex cornuta will reach a height and width of about 15 feet at maturity.
Chinese Holly
Ilex cornuta ‘Burford’; photograph by SB Johnny via Flickr.
Weeping yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). In a garden: A 30-foot-high shrub at maturity, Ilex vomitoria creates an evergreen screen of dark, glossy leaves.
Weeping Yaupon Holly
Photograph by David J. Stang via Wikimedia.
Nellie R. Stevens holly trees create privacy on a perimeter. Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for holly tree with our Holly Tree: A Field Guide.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Photograph by redagainpatti via Flickr.