By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. With its prickly, evergreen leaves and bright red berries, holly is a distinctive but uncommon small tree in the understorey of the Caledonian Forest. The Holly berry is recognized throughout much of the United States as a symbol of the Christmas season; however, the trees branches and berries were used in by Pagan druids who wore Holly leaves on their heads. Female flowers develop into rich red berries, which remain on the tree throughout winter. What is new is training it into a small tree for parking lots islands, patios, even street side plantings. If you are interested in growing English hollies or just want a few more English holly facts, read on. Fallen holly leaves decay very slowly – look out for their paper-thin skeletons on the ground. It is commonly called topel holly, although some of the named cultivars thereunder have different common … English holly and American holly are used as ornamental Christmas greens. It has outstanding potential as a standalone specimen or massed with others of its kind in a glorious hedge. English holly (I. aquifolium), a tree growing to 15 metres (nearly 50 feet) tall, bears shining spiny dark evergreen leaves and usually red fruits. A number of holly species are listed as endangered species by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and at least one, I. gardneriana, is extinct because of habitat loss. Or they can be left to grow naturally - unclipped holly trees often have an attractive weepy look with full-to-the-ground foliage. The Eagleston Holly has a dense canopy with small slender branches which are smooth and light to medium gray in color. Like other hollies, this species is dioecious (separate male and female plants), so you will need to plant a male pollinator in order for this shrub to flower and bear fruit. You’ll also find some tips on English holly plant care. There are spineless and yellow-fruited forms of both species. Japanese holly (I. crenata), an East Asian shrub growing to 6 metres (20 feet), has small evergreen leaves and black berries. Try 3 issues of BBC Wildlife Magazine for just £5! In general, holly trees can grow between 6 and 18 m (20 and 60 feet) once fully mature, while holly shrubs can grow between 30 cm and 6 m (1 and 20 feet). Holly leaves are evergreen. The male has four prominent, pollen-bearing stamens that splay out in an ‘X’ shape, seen in spring and summer, from May. Holly is a genus of about 480 species of flowering plants. © Andrew Howe/Getty, Editorial consultant for BBC Wildlife, science writer and author. Holly Trees are the only genus remaining in the family Aquifoliaceae, the others going extinct. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The somewhat taller American holly (I. opaca) has oblong prickly leaves and usually red fruits. There is nothing new about Burford Holly since it is commonly used as a shrub and kept small with pruning. This holly does well in full sun or part shade and is very tolerant of drought. Hooray for holly wood. Depending on the species, the fruit of a holly tree can either be orange, red, white, black or yellow. How is holly dispersed? Mate, a tealike beverage common in parts of South America, is made from the leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Thanks! The plants can be evergreen or deciduous. It can grow well … Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The type species is Ilex aquifolium, the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards. English holly (I. aquifolium), a tree growing to 15 metres (nearly 50 feet) tall, bears shining spiny dark evergreen leaves and usually red fruits. As you scan a list of holly tree facts, you may think that one of the most charming qualities of the American holly (Ilex opaca) is its diversity. Both male and female plants produce small white flowers in spring which attract pollinators. At maturity, holly trees reach a height of 35 to 50 feet and a width of 15 to 25 feet. Learn how to tell the difference between male and female plants, plus which birds are protective of holly trees. The Eagleston Holly can be used for a variety of landscape settings as either a tall screen or a solitary specimen when grown with a single trunk in tree form. All five thrush species found in Britain in winter love holly berries, dispersing the stone fruit through their droppings. There are many types (species) of holly. Main image: A robin on a branch of holly in the snow. The holly, or Ilex, genus consists of a large group of evergreen and deciduous trees that range in size from 18 inches to more than 50 feet tall. Botanically speaking, the fruit is the hard ‘stone’ at the centre, the exocarp is the red outer skin and the mesocarp is the fleshy orange layer in between. Several states list Nellie Stevens Hollies on approved urban planting lists, as this Holly is a fast-growing vegetative screen, which is both drought tolerant and pollutant tolerant. Mature Size. Acorns are produced in the first year falling in autumn. Often the lower leaves are very spiny, while upper leaves are more ovate and have fewer spikes. Omissions? Ilex x attenuata is a natural hybrid originally found growing in the wild in Florida in 1924. American Holly Ilex opaca Hardiness Zones. Already have an account with us? See Holly Research and R… Holly is a plant. East Palatka holly grows 35 to 40 feet tall, according to the University of Florida, and is a hybrid of Ilex cassine -- the Dahoon holly -- and Ilex opaca, American holly. Females produce bright berries. Credit: Ben Lee / WTML Holly is native to the UK. American holly normally grows to heights of 15 to 30 feet tall, but records indicate mature heights of up to 100 feet. Ilex / ˈ aɪ l ɛ k s /, or holly, is a genus of about 480 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family.The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The single or clustered, usually greenish small flowers are unisexual and have four petals, and the male and female flowers are usually borne on separate plants. ... Tree Type. Their small leav… Mistle thrushes are often highly protective of their tree, noisily guarding its berries against other birds. This pyramidal tree features dense foliage and grows less than 12 inches annually, making it a slow-growing tree. Chinese holly (I. cornuta), from East Asia, a shrub reaching 3 metres (10 feet), produces scarlet berries among shining evergreen leaves. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There are also four stamens, but these don’t produce pollen. The holly oak is a tough evergreen tree as wide as it is tall with a dense rounded crown. New low growth has more spines as it is within the browsing zone of deer – leaves that are above 2–3m are smoother-edged. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. It is grown commercially in the Pacific Northwest and commonly used in decorations and floral arrangements as well as in landscapes. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Hollies can be shrubby or tree like, shaped for a manicured appearance into teardrops, lollipops (like the East Palatka holly pictured above) or even small shade trees. Holly guide: why it has leaves in winter, and which plants have berries, Iceberg guide: how they form, where they’re found, and how they’re used by wildlife, Corvids of the UK: how to identify, where to see them, and whether they are intelligent, Mistletoe guide: how it survives on other plants, and folklore associated with it, European robin guide: diet, habitat and species facts. Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii', Burford Holly. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Possum haw (I. decidua), also deciduous, bears red fruits on a shrub growing to 10 metres (33 feet). 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