Few plants capture the spirit of the holidays and the beauty of nature year-round as effectively as holly. With their glossy evergreen leaves, bright berries, and distinctive shapes, hollies (Ilex spp.) are iconic in both festive décor and landscape design. But holly shrubs offer much more than seasonal charm—they’re versatile, hardy, and bring value to gardens of all styles.
The Appeal of Holly
Hollies are celebrated for their ornamental appeal and functionality in the garden. Their evergreen foliage provides structure and interest throughout the year, while their berries add pops of color during the colder months, feeding birds and brightening wintry landscapes.
Beyond aesthetics, holly shrubs are durable and adaptable, thriving in a range of conditions and playing multiple roles in garden design, from hedges and screens to foundation plantings and stand-alone specimens.
A Variety of Choices
Hollies come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, with over 400 species available. Here are some popular varieties to consider:
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
This classic holly features spiny, dark green leaves and bright red berries, making it a quintessential choice for holiday displays. It grows into a large, pyramidal shape, suitable as a specimen tree or privacy screen.Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
With its small, rounded leaves resembling boxwood, Japanese holly is perfect for formal gardens, hedges, or topiary. Cultivars like ‘Sky Pencil’ have a striking vertical form that adds architectural interest.English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Known for its traditional Christmas appeal, this holly features sharply spined leaves and vibrant berries. It grows well in cooler climates and is a favorite for festive wreaths and arrangements.Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
A deciduous holly, winterberry loses its leaves in fall, leaving its striking red berries exposed on bare branches—perfect for winter gardens and floral displays.Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’)
This compact, non-spiny variety is ideal for low borders, groundcover, or foundation plantings. It’s also tolerant of drought and pruning, making it highly versatile.Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae)
With bluish-green foliage and a dense, bushy form, this hybrid holly thrives in colder climates. Varieties like ‘Blue Prince’ and ‘Blue Princess’ are popular pairings for berry production.
Festive Features
Hollies have long been associated with winter celebrations, dating back to ancient times when they were used to honor the solstice. Their shiny, evergreen leaves and bright berries symbolize renewal and hope, making them a staple of holiday traditions.
In the garden, their berries aren’t just decorative—they’re an important food source for birds and other wildlife in the lean winter months. To ensure berries on your holly shrubs, remember that most hollies are dioecious, meaning you’ll need both male and female plants nearby for pollination.
Designing with Holly
Holly shrubs and trees are versatile, fitting seamlessly into a wide range of garden styles. Here’s how you can incorporate them into your landscape:
- Hedges and Screens: Tall holly varieties like American holly or Nellie Stevens holly create dense, evergreen hedges that provide privacy and wind protection year-round.
- Foundation Plantings: Compact hollies, such as dwarf yaupon holly or inkberry holly, make excellent foundation shrubs, softening the edges of buildings and adding a tidy appearance.
- Winter Gardens: Deciduous varieties like winterberry shine in winter landscapes, offering vibrant berry displays when most plants are dormant.
- Formal Designs: Japanese holly, with its tidy growth habit, is perfect for creating symmetrical borders, topiary, or accent plants in formal gardens.
- Wildlife Gardens: Plant hollies to attract birds, which feast on the berries and find shelter in the dense foliage.
Care and Maintenance
Hollies are relatively low-maintenance, but proper care ensures they thrive and look their best:
- Light: Most hollies prefer full sun to partial shade, though some varieties, like inkberry, tolerate more shade.
- Soil: Hollies thrive in slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Adding organic matter can improve heavy clay or sandy soils.
- Watering: Newly planted hollies require consistent moisture, but mature plants are drought-tolerant once established.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to support healthy growth and berry production.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the shrub and remove dead or damaged branches. Light pruning can also be done after berrying for decorative cuttings.
Companion Planting with Hollies
Hollies pair beautifully with other plants to create dynamic, year-round interest:
Evergreens: Combine hollies with other evergreen shrubs like boxwood, junipers, or camellias for a lush, layered look.- Perennials: Plant alongside flowering perennials like hellebores, hostas, or astilbes to complement holly’s bold foliage.
- Grasses: Add movement and texture by pairing with ornamental grasses such as fountain grass or carex.
- Bulbs: Underplant hollies with spring bulbs like daffodils or tulips for a burst of seasonal color.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Hollies hold a special place in folklore and mythology, often representing protection and good fortune. Ancient Druids revered holly as a sacred plant, believing it warded off evil spirits. In Christianity, holly became a symbol of Christmas, with its thorny leaves representing the crown of thorns and red berries symbolizing Christ’s blood.
The Holly Advantage
Whether you’re drawn to its festive charm or its functional roles in the landscape, holly is a shrub that offers unparalleled versatility. Its evergreen foliage, vibrant berries, and adaptability to various garden styles make it a must-have plant for any gardener.
Plant holly in your garden and enjoy a timeless blend of beauty, wildlife support, and year-round interest. With so many varieties to choose from, there’s a holly for every space and style.