Holly Plants for the Holidays

Ideal Holiday Addition

The American holly (Opaca) signifies the Christmas spirit as no other plant truly does. An ideal holiday plant addition to any home, its evergreen foliage, berries and branches are fashioned into a variety of decorations. A fast growing tree or shrub it can make a welcome landscape addition. It grows well as a specimen tree or a privacy hedge. The American holly usually attains a small height of only 20 to 25 feet which makes it ideal in a limited space location. On rare occasions the tree can reach a height of up to 50 feet.

Seasonal Benefits

The American holly tree or shrub draws wintertime interest where it is planted. Its bright red berries stand out in dramatic contrast to the white snow of winter. The holly tree also has either deep, glossy green foliage or a softly variegated foliage that remains throughout the year.

Wildlife flock to the tree and it always draws a diverse array of birds. Cardinals, thrashers and bluebirds favor the tree during the harsh winter months. Birds are a major distributer of the American holly tree’s seeds. Wild turkeys also favor the berries during the winter months. Deer and raccoons also feast on the berries. The berries are poisonous to humans but at least 18 species of birds and mammals feed heavily on the bright red berries during the winter months, according to the University of South Carolina.

Each spring the tree is covered in creamy white flowers. The springtime new growth is a rosy red in coloration which offers an ideal contract with the flowers for visual interest. Flowering will not occur until the tree reaches four to seven years of age. The American holly tree is either male or female. More male American holly trees appear to exist than females.

Planting Requirements

Plant in full sunlight for the best growth results, but the tree will tolerate partial shade. Choose a planting location that offers rich soil conditions that are well-draining. It prefers to have moist soil conditions but does tolerate wetland situations and is often found growing in forest wetlands where other trees fail to thrive. The tree will tolerate a wide range of soils, such as loamy or clay.

The American holly tree thrives in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 9.

Holiday Holly Plant History

In Europe for centuries the English holly plant (Ilex aquifolium) was used for holiday decorations. When the pioneer immigrants first reached America they were pleasantly surprised to discover the similar American holly plant which they quickly began to incorporate as their holiday holly plant.

An American holly tree can offers many uses during the Christmas season and also provide year round visual interest in any landscape setting.


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