Christmas plants from different countries. Christmas Plants Holly Wreath

Holly (Holly)
Latin name: Ilex.
Categories: decorative trees and shrubs, plants for shady areas.
Family: Holly (Aquifoliaceae).
Homeland Holly (holly) is distributed almost throughout the world, in temperate and tropical regions.
Form: evergreen or deciduous shrub or tree.

Description
The genus includes about 400 species. Holly (holly) is an evergreen or deciduous tree or shrub with very decorative foliage and berries. Holly leaves are leathery, dense, dark green, serrated, rarely entire. Holly berries are red, yellow, white, black or orange; ripen in autumn and remain on the plant even under snow. Holly flowers are dioecious; male and female specimens must be planted to produce fruits. Hollies are well sheared.

Holly Holly, or common holly(I. aquifolium). Large, slow-growing, domed shrub or small conical tree, 2 to 10 m tall and up to 4 m wide, with somewhat twisted shoots. The lower shoots of the holly or common holly hang down, often lie on the ground and sometimes take root. The upper shoots of the holly or common holly are prostrate or vertically growing. The leaves are evergreen, oval or narrow-ovate, shiny, dense, dark green; the edges of the leaves of young plants have sharp spines. Pea-sized holly fruits, shiny, red, numerous, decorative, poisonous. The root system of the common holly is deep and wide. Holly holly is not winter hardy. In nature, the plant is common in central Europe.

holly goblin(I. crenata). Asymmetric, vertically growing shrub, of medium size, various in shape. Height - 2-3 m, width - 1-2 m. Holly gorodchaty grows slowly. The leaves are evergreen, small, oblong-ovate, entire, dark green. It blooms in early July not every year. The fruits are small, black berries up to 6 mm in diameter - not decorative. In winter, holly gourd is not wind resistant.

Holly Meserve(I. x meserveae). A hybrid of European common holly and Korean wrinkled holly. A shrub that varies greatly (depending on the variety) in appearance. The leaves of the Mezerva holly are evergreen, oval or narrowly ovate, bronze-green when blooming, then shiny, dark green, often black or crimson-green in winter, dense, leathery, soft, with non-sharp spines. The flowers are numerous, white, with a slight aroma, bloom in May. The fruits of Meserve's holly are numerous, poisonous, the size of a pea or larger, shiny, bright red, stay on the plant for a long time, and are few in the shade. Holly Meserva has a number of interesting varieties that are valued, among other things, for their high frost resistance.

Whorled holly(I. verticillata). Deciduous, very decorative species of hollies. The branches of the whorled holly are covered with numerous orange fruits, which remain on the plant all winter. The whorled holly is the most winter-hardy of all plant species. Its homeland is the northeast of North America.

Holly wrinkled(I. rugosa). Evergreen low or creeping, non-hardy shrub up to 0.4 m tall. Wrinkled holly is not found in landscaping. In nature, it is found in mixed forests in the Far East, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, in Primorye, Japan.

Colchis holly(I. colchica). In nature - a tree with drooping branches or a creeping shrub. In Central Russia, it reaches 0.5 m in height. The leaves of Colchis holly are leathery, serrated, prickly, very dark, green, the underside of the leaves is lighter. The plant freezes up to snow cover, but quickly recovers. The homeland of the Colchis holly is Transcaucasia and Asia Minor.

Growing conditions
Hollies are shade-tolerant and moisture-loving, they do not tolerate drought and high temperatures, they love cool places. Plants can suffer from the winter sun. Holly soils prefer well-drained, fertile, fresh to moist, acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Holly, or holly, does not grow well on heavy soils, loses its winter hardiness.

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Application
Evergreen hollies (holly) are highly ornamental plants that are very popular with gardeners. Hollies are best planted in groups. Plants are used to create hedges. Molded hollies are perfect for French (regular) style gardens. It is worth noting that the holly, or holly, due to its dark green jagged leaves and bright red fruits, is very popular in Europe as a Christmas plant, from which festive wreaths, garlands, and various decorations are made.

Care
Hollies are moisture-loving, so in dry, hot times they need to be watered. Young plants can be seriously affected by early spring burns, so it is advisable to cover them in the spring. In variegated varieties of holly, branches with ordinary green leaves can grow, so they need to be removed periodically.

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reproduction
Holly reproduces vegetatively - cuttings and layering. It is better to plant hollies in early spring, adult plants do not like transplanting.

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Diseases and pests
Holly is a hardy plant; under favorable conditions, the holly is not affected by diseases. Possible disease - late blight.

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Popular varieties
Varieties of holly Meserve

'Blue Angel'. A small compact dense upright shrub from 1.2 to 1.5 m tall and up to 2 m wide. In winter, the leaves turn almost black. The fruits are red, poisonous. Grows slowly.

‘Blue Prince’. Small to large, compact, cone-shaped shrub 2 to 4 m tall and 1 to 3 m wide. The leaves are almost black in winter. ‘Blue Prince’ is a male-only variety and therefore does not produce fruit (while being an important pollinator for other species).

‘Blue Princess’. Small or large shrub 2 to 5 m tall and 2 to 3 m wide; openwork, cone-shaped, or widely upright. The leaves are almost black in winter; the fruits are light red, very poisonous. Grows slowly. Represented by female species.

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Other varieties of holly Meserve ‘Blue Maid’, ‘Golden Princess’.

(Ilexaquifolia)- one of the most beloved and expressive Christmas symbols. In Christian symbolism, the thorny leaves of the holly express suffering, and the red berries - blood, it is a symbol of eternal life and rebirth. One of the biblical legends says that where the Savior stepped on the ground, holly bushes grew. In some images, the crown of thorns on the head of Christ replaces the thorny wreath of holly. According to biblical legends, once its berries were white, but stained with the blood of the Savior, they turned red. Some sources claim that a cross was made from the wood of the holly, on which the Savior was crucified - other trees refused to take part in this and split at the first blow of the ax, and only the holly remained solid.

People paid attention to this plant long before the introduction of Christianity. The inhabitants of the European coast of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, where the holly grows wild, have long deified it and endowed it with powerful magical powers. It is a hardy plant, capable of surviving in the deep shade of forests where the seeds of other plants do not sprout, entering the peak of its decorative effect in autumn and surviving the winter in evergreen leaves and fruits, armed with thorns and poisonous blood-red berries, providing food and shelter to birds and healing - to people, it seemed at the same time the personification of protection and threat. Different nations dedicated it to their most powerful gods, and its fruiting was associated with the change of seasons, the confrontation between life and death.

There is still debate about where the holly cult came from - from the Celts or the Romans. The Celts considered the oak as the personification of the world tree as their supreme deity, there is a hypothesis that the word "druids", which the Celtic priests were called, means nothing more than "people of the oak". But if King Oak ruled over the arriving part of the year until the day of the summer solstice, and with it - over life, then after it was replaced by King Holly, i.e. the holly that ruled over the waning part of the year and death. According to the views of the Celts, they supported the bridge over the river from different sides, separating the kingdoms of the living and the dead. The Old Norse name for holly is preserved - Helver (from the Scandinavian word Hel, meaning the kingdom of the dead). This is reflected in the Irish Tale of Gawain and the Green Knight, where Sir Gawain, armed with an oak club, and the immortal giant, the Green Knight, armed with a Holly bough, conclude an agreement to behead each other in turn on a day of mid-winter and mid-summer. But the holly knight takes pity on the oak king.

In the indented outlines of the leaves of the holly, a resemblance to an oak was guessed; one of the names of the holly holly - Prickly oak - put it on a par with the main deity. Druids believed in its magical power, using it to enhance magic spells and attract prophetic dreams. Holly branches were burned in fires on the winter solstice Yule and dedicated to the Sun. In the Irish poem "The Song of the Forest Trees" there are lines:

The holly will burn

Like candle wax...

It was believed that a magic wand could be made from a holly, and a spear with a holly shaft brought an unconditional victory over evil. And today the belief is alive that a plentiful harvest of holly berries portends a harsh winter.

In those days when they believed in elves, fairies and goblins, in England holly was planted around the dwelling to protect themselves from lightning, evil spirits, diseases, witchcraft and winter melancholy. English maidens hung holly branches at the head or surrounded the bed with them to protect against goblins. In Ireland, on the contrary, they tried not to plant him next to the house, so as not to scare away the good fairies.

Prickly holly hedges were used to fence cattle pens, and the least thorny branches were fed to him to prevent death. Stables were built from holly wood, believing that it protects horses from diseases and fires, and a whip from a holly branch gives the rider power over the horse.

The use of wood in the humid conditions of the British Isles was dictated more by expediency. The trunks of holly trees sometimes reach 1 m or more in diameter. The wood is very durable and resistant to decay, fine-grained, of a beautiful ivory color with rare greenish veins. Today it is considered too valuable, so it is used only for decorative items and inlays.

Holly berries were used to treat fevers and other illnesses, and there is evidence that they helped with smallpox epidemics in Europe. The fruits and leaves of the holly do have antipyretic and other medicinal properties. But drugs from them are dangerous because of the toxic substance contained in them - ilicin, only twenty berries are enough to lead to the death of an adult, however, few lethal cases have been described. German healers believed that it was enough to rub against the first holly bush they met to get almost immediate healing.

In Scandinavian mythology, the holly was associated with the divine giant Thor, who ruled over lightning (he was also called Thunder), and Freya, the goddess of fertility, love and beauty, who ruled over the weather and thunder. The broken lines of the holly leaf with thorns along the edges evoked people associations with lightning, along with the fact that this tree is better than others at removing lightning to the ground and itself hardly suffers at the same time.

The relation of the Celts to the holly was probably transmitted as a result of wars to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean. The earliest mention of the holly here is found in the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus. The Roman philosopher Pliny, who lived two centuries later, pointed out that the holly is able to protect against lightning, poison and dark witchcraft. The Romans dedicated it to the god of agriculture, Saturn, decorated it with branches of his image, and brought it as a gift to each other as a symbol of good luck and protection from evil on the days of the Saturnalia (December 17-23) with the end of field work. Early Christians initially dismissed the holly as a pagan symbol, but over time it became firmly established in Christian culture. Saturnalia was replaced by Christmas, and the holly remained, but no longer a symbol of fertility, but the personification of the suffering of Christ.

In the cultures of different countries of the world, where other representatives of hollies grow (there are about 600 species in total), the attitude towards them is about the same. Holly is revered in Japan (Ilexcrenata). The greatest of the Japanese mythological heroes, Yamato, is armed with a symbol of divine power - a spear made from a holly. And one of the legends tells how the rats helped the Buddhist monk Daikoku repel the attack of the devil, dragging him a holly branch at the decisive moment of the fight. From here came the village tradition of hanging a sprig of holly along with a small skewer on the door to keep the devil away. In China, on New Year's Eve, houses are similarly decorated with local Chinese holly. (Ilexschinensis).

In North America before the arrival of white settlers, the American holly (Ilexopaca) was a sacred symbol of courage and defense, it was planted around the camps to protect the tribe. Indians of the Seminole and Cherokee tribes prepared from the leaves and shoots of tea holly (Ilexvomitoria),"black drink", which had an emetic, laxative and hallucinogenic effect. It was used in a cult ritual of cleansing the mind, spirit and flesh, held before the start of the consumption of new crop grains. Only men participated in the preparation of the drink and the ritual itself. The high content of caffeine (6 times more than in coffee) allowed the ceremony, accompanied by dancing and tobacco smoking, to continue all night. The rite, which originated at least 1200 BC, lasted until 1830, when the tribes were moved from Florida to Oklahoma, where this type of holly does not grow, and other herbs and roots replaced it in a ritual drink.

From the leaves of Paraguayan holly (Ilexparaguayansis), also having a high content of caffeine, in South America they prepare the now world-famous tonic mate tea. The origin of this drink is considered divine - some peoples say that the bearded god Pa-I-Shume taught mortals to cook it, others - that the goddess of the moon and clouds gave the plant to the old man who saved them from the attack of the jaguar when they visited the earth. The consumption of mate is considered beneficial not only for the body, but also for the soul, allowing you to achieve divine peace. It is called the "drink of friendship", holding family and friendships together.

In the Indian Himalayas, the holly was one of the sacred trees guarded by the benevolent guardian spirit Munispuram. Signs of cinnabar were applied to the tree trunk, three stones painted red were placed at the foot, and animals in need of healing were sacrificed. This is mentioned in P. Sedir's book "Magical Plants".

Echoes of ancient beliefs are still alive today. The English and German tradition of bringing holly into the house at Christmas is associated with the belief that on this day it is possible to determine who will rule in the family in the coming year - a husband or wife. A holly with thorns is considered male, and without thorns - female. In fact, this plant is dioecious, and female plants are easily distinguished by the presence of berries. In contrast, in Wales, they believe that by picking a holly branch, you can bring a quick death, and stepping on a berry - other misfortunes.

For Christmas wreaths and compositions, not only holly holly is now used, but also American deciduous species - whorled holly (Ilexverticillata) and falling holly (Ilexdecidua), which by the New Year holidays are already without leaves, but densely studded with bright drupes. And the holly holly, like the hybrid species holly mezerva (Ilexxmeservae) and Altaklaren holly (Ilexxaltaclarensis) represented by many varieties - with green, bluish, variegated foliage, with red, orange and yellow berries.

Holly holly does not grow in our country, but in the New Year's decor this winter berry will not be superfluous, even if there is no need to drive away evil spirits. It is said that the mystical spirit of the holly is able to attract financial well-being and improve business.

We are all used to the fact that another coniferous tree is a symbol of the New Year and Christmas. But this tradition is not characteristic of all peoples. About New Year's plants from different countries - in the New Year's article!

Holly Holly

Holly (or holly)- a much more ancient symbol of winter holidays than spruce. The ancient Romans considered the holly a sacred tree to the god Saturn, the Druids traditionally burned its branches on the winter solstice, and the Celts weaved wreaths from the holly and believed that its bright red berries would help them survive the longest night of the year.

Over time, pagan traditions migrated to Christian holidays. The holly has become a real symbol of Christmas. According to one version, it was from holly that gossip was woven wreath of jesus christ, and red berries are the blood of the Savior. Holly wreaths and garlands are still popular in many countries of Western Europe, especially in Great Britain. It is believed that this plant gives people hope and faith in the best.

mistletoe

Euphorbia the most beautiful (Poinsettia)

Another popular Christmas plant in English speaking countries is poinsettia - "Star of Bethlehem". In the USA, Canada, Great Britain and a number of other European countries, poinsettia is used to decorate homes and offices, and also present this beautiful plant as a Christmas present. This tradition has begun to spread in Russia in recent years.

Ivy

Ivy sprigs are often added to Christmas wreaths in Western European countries, Canada and the United States. This loach symbolizes the desire to grow up, develop and be closer to God.

Kumquat and tangerines

citrus plants- New Year's symbol in China, Japan and Korea. Kumquats and tangerines symbolize health, happiness and longevity here. These trees, hung with fruits, are traditionally sold here on New Year's holidays, they decorate houses and present them as a gift.

Bamboo

In Japan, bamboo branches are a mandatory attribute for the New Year. They are used to weave unusual figurines “for good luck” or simply hang bundles of bamboo straw on the door to ward off evil spirits. Branches of pine, cypress, and plum or peach blossoms are also popular in Japan.

Nuitsia profusely blooming

In Australia, the main Christmas tree is considered Nuitsia. It is on New Year's Eve that Nuitsia blooms with huge bright yellow flowers that can reach 10 meters in height!

For a long time, the tree has become a symbol of Christmas and New Year for us. In Europe, holly or holly is as popular as spruce. Elegant dark green leaves and bright red fruits of the holly can be seen on postcards and pages of numerous magazines.

Centuries later, while the bulk of the Romans continued to celebrate the Saturnalia, the early Christians were already celebrating Christmas in secret. To avoid persecution, they, like everyone else, decorated their houses with holly branches. As Christianity later became the dominant religion, the holly became the recognized symbol of Christmas. According to some versions, the crown of Christ was made from it, and the holly berries, originally white, turned red from the blood of the Savior. And yet, the holly means joy and reconciliation and, according to popular belief, protects against witchcraft and lightning.

The same as in Europe, decorations from branches appeared in Russia by decree of Peter I, and since fir branches turned out to be the most accessible, it was the spruce that became the Russian symbol of the New Year. But the holly is not only an ornamental plant, its sticky bark, along with mistletoe berries, was used in the old days for cooking glue, and small crafts, handles for tools, gear wheels for watches and small mechanisms were made from durable and beautiful wood. In Germany, in the century before last, sun-dried holly leaves were used as a substitute for tea, which also had expectorant and diuretic properties. In the 19th century, holly was considered a strong anti-febrile agent, comparing its activity with cinchona bark, which at that time had no equal in the treatment of swamp fever (malaria).
Interestingly, Hollywood in translation means "holly forest". Of course, there is hardly anything left of the forest, except for the name, but once this forest was located on small mountains and hillocks.

Christmas holiday (Christmas)

The idea to make December 25 the holiday of Christmas appeared in the 4th century. The church sought to get rid of the remnants of paganism: the fact is that around the same time, according to tradition, the birthday of the Roman god of the sun was celebrated. Therefore, the church fathers decided to establish a new, Christian holiday in honor of the birthday of Jesus Christ, which would replace the Roman one.

In America, Christmas was not celebrated immediately: the early Puritan colonists were generally suspicious of the holidays, and in Massachusetts it was even banned.

Mistletoe (Mistletoe)

Many years before the birth of Christ, the Druids used mistletoe branches to decorate their homes, celebrating the coming of winter. They revered it as a sacred plant and believed that mistletoe has the ability to cure many diseases (including infertility), helps with poisoning and protects against evil spells.

For the Anglo-Saxons, mistletoe was one of the attributes of Freya, the goddess of love, fertility and beauty. According to custom, a man had the right to kiss a girl who accidentally found herself under a branch of mistletoe (they were usually attached to the ceiling or hung over a doorway). The custom of kissing under the mistletoe has survived to this day in many countries, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Now mistletoe is one of the main symbols of Christmas, although at first the church forbade its use to decorate homes, due to pagan legends associated with this plant. Instead, it was recommended to use holly.

Holly

The holly is another Christmas symbol. And, of course, the Druids also had a lot to do here, who greatly respected the holly for its ability to remain green and beautiful even in winter, when nature lost most of its colors.

The Romans also loved this plant, considering it a creation of Saturn. During the wild celebration of Saturnalia (the prototype of the European carnival), the townspeople gave each other wreaths of holly and decorated their houses with them. Centuries later, while the bulk of the Romans continued to celebrate the Saturnalia, the early Christians were already secretly celebrating Christmas. To avoid persecution, they, like everyone else, decorated their houses with holly branches. As Christianity later became the dominant religion, the holly became the recognized symbol of Christmas. According to some versions, the crown of Christ was made from it, and the holly berries, originally white, turned red from the blood of the Savior.

Holly also means joy and reconciliation and, according to popular belief, protects against witchcraft and lightning.

Poinsettia (Poinsettia)

Poinsettia is a very beautiful Mexican plant that is often used to decorate rooms during the Christmas holidays. The poinsettia is named after Joel Poinsette, the first American ambassador to Mexico, who brought it to the States in 1828. Due to the shape of its leaves, this plant has become a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and is therefore associated with Christmas. The bright red poinsettia leaves that surround its nondescript yellow flower are often mistaken for petals.

Christmas Lollipop (Candy Cane)

Before striped cane-shaped (or shepherd's crook-shaped) mint candy was invented, parents treated their children to Christmas candy sticks made from plain white sugar. In the 17th century, they began to bend it in the form of a staff, and in the 19th century, the now familiar red stripes appeared on the white candy. Such a lollipop combined several Christian symbols. Its shape was supposed to remind people that Christ is the shepherd of humanity, who gave his life for his flock and, at the same time, the sacrificial lamb. Also, the upside down lollipop resembles the letter J that begins the name Jesus. The whiteness of the candy symbolizes the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary and the sinless life of Christ, and the hardness of sugar speaks of its steadfastness and desire to serve as a support and protection to those who believe in it.

Three thin red stripes, according to one version, denote the Holy Trinity, and one wide one - the One God. Sometimes another strip is made on the candy - green, which reminds believers that Jesus is the gift of God (green color symbolizes giving).

Stocking for gifts (Stocking)

On Christmas Eve, children, according to custom, hang a stocking by the fireplace, which Santa fills with gifts at night. This tradition is connected with one of the legends about St. Nicholas (the prototype of Santa). According to this legend, the saint gave three poor dowry women each a purse of gold, secretly placing his gifts in the stockings of the girls, which they hung on the grate at night to dry.

Since then, children leave their stockings by the hearth, hoping to find something pleasant in them in the morning.

Cookies for Santa (Cookies for Santa)

Children leave cookies on the fireplace for Santa to thank him for the work he does every Christmas. And those who behaved badly hope to appease him a little in this way in order to also receive a gift.

Christmas Cards

The first Christmas card appeared in 1843 in England. It was created by John Horsley and Sir Henry Cole. The first batch of postcards (1,000 pieces) was sold in London and was a hand-colored lithograph on thick cardboard. In the center of the picture was a celebrating family, and below it were the words “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” The side pictures showed scenes of charity: feeding the hungry and dressing the poor.