Holly Fun Facts!

First, What IS holly?

Holly leaves are most commonly referenced at Christmas time, and is often referred to by the name Christ's thorn. Holly is a traditional Christmas decoration used especially in wreaths and illustrations. The plant itself has carried a Christian symbolism as expressed in the well-known Christian Christmas carol "The Holly and the Ivy", in which the holly represents Jesus and the ivy represents the Virgin Mary.

But WHERE does this holly come from?

Did you know there IS such a thing as a "Holly Growers Association"?

The Northwest Holly Growers Association is a non-profit organization founded to help members share information and to promote holly in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA and Canada including Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Even better, there is a Holly Society Of America

HOLLY Q&A

Q: My neighbors holly looks different than mine. Why?

A: Your neighbor may have a different species. There are approximately 175 species of holly in the world. These differ in shape of leaves and size and shape of plant, among other attributes. Only a few species are used commercially in the United States and Canada. They are primarily English holly, (Ilex aquifolium), grown in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, and the Native American holly (Ilex opaca) which grows along the Atlantic coast.

Q: I have a beautiful holly tree but no berries. Why?

A: There are several possibilities. One is that it is a male tree. These have flowers, but do not set berries. The other is that it is a female tree, but there are no males of the same species around to pollinate it. Yet another is that the tree has a health problem relating either to nutrients or pests.

Q: Are holly berries poisonous?

A: NO. Birds and animals count on holly to provide food during the winter months. For humans, the berries will taste bitter and may cause an upset stomach or act as a mild laxative, if enough are ingested. While health benefits of holly are elusive, significant health harms have not been documented. . On the contrary, it is a perfect indoor decoration for people with allergies, as it contains no dust, pollens, or fragrances.