Holly evergreen shrub. Holly plant. Outdoor cultivation

The holly is one of the most popular and sought after plants worldwide. In the West, it is used as a decoration during the Christmas holidays, in our countries it is used to create a hedge.

The shrub is appreciated by many gardeners, as it has beautiful dark green leaves, and its fruits are an attractive red hue. But there are representatives with white, yellow, orange and even black berries. The fruits appear on the shrub in the autumn period of time, and in winter they are its wonderful decoration. There are more than 400 types of shrubs. The most common among them is the holly holly.

Where is the best place to plant a plant?

When choosing a holly, it is necessary to pay special attention to its frost resistance and how it is able to endure the winter. Not every species can handle harsh weather. In the conditions of the middle lane, it is better to give preference to frost-resistant shrubs. If a heat-loving variety is chosen, then it can easily be planted in a special container, which is transferred to the room with the onset of cold weather.

Growing this crop does not require special knowledge and effort. The only thing that needs to be approached with responsibility is the choice of location. R asthet holly holly is better in shady areas that are maximally protected from the wind. It is recommended that the soil be light and nutritious, with good water permeability.

reproduction

Reproduction of holly occurs with the help of seeds, which are easily carried by birds. If gardeners think about growing a plant using seeds on their own, then you need to be prepared to engage in stratification for 18 months. Based on this, the plant is best propagated using cuttings.

This type of reproduction allows you to save every feature of the variety. Cuttings for planting must be cut from existing semi-lignified shoots of the same year. The length of each should be from 4 to 5 cm. 1-2 internodes are left on each segment. In the process of cutting, you need to use a well-sharpened tool. Sections must be made at an angle: the lower section is made immediately below the lower kidney, and the upper one is above the upper one.

After the material is ready, it must be placed in a prepared greenhouse. A special layered substrate is prepared in advance, which includes a layer of humus (about 10 cm) and a layer of sand (no more than 3 cm). The cuttings themselves are buried in the soil by 1.5-2 cm.

The cuttings placed in the ground must be protected from direct sun rays. The plant takes root completely within 2-4 weeks.

Proper care

Most often, the plant has enough natural rainfall, so the holly holly does not need additional watering.

Considering the fact that hollies make excellent, and most importantly, reliable hedges, it is necessary to remember about their correct formation. This should be done from the very beginning of the season. Evergreens grow quite slowly, and their crown is very beautiful and neat. Curly haircut, original and unusual, each gardener performs at will.

In the spring period, other equally important procedures should be carried out. In order to prevent sunburn hollies should be shaded, and the near-stem soil should be well loosened. Additionally, all dried and damaged branches are removed.

Do not forget about feeding the shrub. In the spring, it is desirable to arrange around the plant good layer compost with some mineral fertilizers which are important for good growth and tree development.

Holly needs shelter in autumn. the best protective agent is spruce spruce branches or dry litter. The trunk soil is covered with sawdust or peat.

There are times when holly infects phytophthora, as a result of which the plant undergoes a process of decay of the entire root system. As a result, the holly may die altogether. The plant in this case can no longer be saved, and it must be destroyed.

plant species

The following types are known:

1. 1. Holly or common holly. It is an evergreen shrub, 2 to 10 meters high. It grows quite slowly, somewhat reminiscent of a dome or a small conical tree, the shoots of which are slightly curved. The lower shoots hang down, are often on the ground, and sometimes even take root. The upper shoots grow vertically. The leaves are oval or ovate, they are evergreen, quite shiny and dense. At the edges of the foliage of each young plant There are very sharp spines, so you need to be as careful as possible. Holly fruits are small in size. They are red and appear in large numbers. It is important to remember that the berries of the plant are decorative and contain a large number of toxic substances. As for the root system, it is deep and wide. This plant is not able to endure the winter, it is not frost-resistant. In nature, it can be found in any city central Europe, since this climate is the most optimal for him.
2. 2. City holly. This shrub grows vertically, it is asymmetrical and reaches medium length. The shape of the plant is different. Height - 2-3 meters, and its width - 1-2 meters. The crenate view of the plant grows at a very low rate. Leaves small size, evergreen, having an oblong-ovoid shape. The tree does not bloom every year, but if this happens, then more often in early June. The fruits reach 6 mm in diameter and are black in color. They are not decorative. As for the winter period, the plant is not wind resistant.
3. 3. Meserva. C ort is a hybrid of the common and Korean wrinkled holly. It is a highly climbing shrub. The leaves of the mezerva are evergreen, with an oval shape. At the time of blooming, they have a bronze green color quite dense and leathery. There are also spines at the ends of the leaves, but they are not at all sharp. The plant is dominated by a large number of white flowers that bloom in the month of May and have a pleasant smell. Berries containing a core grow on a shrub in large groups. Their size looks like a pea, they are very shiny, have a rich red color. If the plant is in the shade, then there are few fruits on it, but they stay on Mezerva for a long time. Holly Meserva has a lot of varieties that are highly valued throughout the world due to their frost resistance.
4. 4. Holly whorled. This is a deciduous ornamental plant, the branches of which are densely covered with orange-colored fruits, even throughout the winter. This species is the most winter hardy. He is not afraid of wind, cold and frost. Whorled holly is native to North America.
5. 5. The holly is wrinkled. An evergreen plant that does not reach a great height, sometimes creeping species are also found. This shrub does not tolerate winter, the size reaches no more than 40 cm. It is not used to being used as landscaping or decoration. In nature, it can be found in mixed forests on the Kuril Islands, in Japan, Primorye, Sakhalin and even in the Far East.
6. 6. Colchis. Planting and caring for this plant require special attention. Holly branches are drooping, in particular - this shrub is creeping. The size does not exceed half a meter. The leaves are leathery and quite prickly, have a dark green color. The underside of each leaf is much lighter than the top. Despite the fact that the plant freezes quickly enough, it recovers just as quickly. The homeland of the plant is Transcaucasia and Asia Minor.
7. 7. Argentea Marginata. P prefers a place for its habitat, which will perfectly protect it from the wind. If you plant a plant at home, then in this case you need to plant it surrounded by coniferous trees. The shrub is beautiful, has variegated leaves of a pinkish hue. They are quite dense and give shine. The ends of the leaves are somewhat pointed and openwork. The leaves are dark green with a beautiful cream border. It is also dominated by red berries. In order for the plant to survive the winter, it must be well insulated.
8. 8. Alaska. This is an evergreen plant that looks like a narrow pyramid. Fairly large shrub. Over the years, it becomes wider, the branches are directed vertically upwards and quite thick. The plant grows somewhat slower than the rest of the wild.

Ilex reaches 5 to 7 m in height, shrub width up to 3 meters. At the age of 40, the plant has a height of 3.5 m and a width of 2.5 m. During the year, the plant grows only 15 cm. The leaves are quite small and decorative, on both sides of which there are 5-7 spines. They shine strongly in the sun and have a green or dark green color. If the plant is well pollinated, then numerous fruits appear on it, which stay on the shrub for a sufficiently long period of time.

Holly in landscape design

As for the holly holly, it can be safely planted not only singly, but also in small groups.

Holly hedges retain their shape for a long time and are reliable defenders of any site from strong gusts of wind.

You can easily grow holly in topiary. In this case, dwarf species will look great, which outwardly resemble wonderful bonsai trees.

Hollies look great in combination with other ornamental plants. For example, mahonia, euonymus and hydrangea are suitable for this.

Holly is not only a wonderful decoration of the site, but is also used as a valuable medicinal raw materials. In modern medicine, it is customary to use not only the foliage and fruits of the plant, but even its bark. In order to stock up on foliage, it is necessary to cut and dry it in the summer. Drying should be exclusively in the shade, spread out enough thin layer on some dry material or paper. Before you start drying, you will need to cut the spines. Dried leaves should be stored exclusively in special linen bags for no more than one year.

Each part of the holly contains a large number of medicinal substances used in medicine. Preparations, which include shrub substances, have antipyretic and diuretic properties, tone up and are antiseptics. Decoctions and tinctures from foliage are usually used for colds, increased cough, arthritis and rheumatism. If a person has dropsy, then the decoction will help to quickly cope with them. In the process of physical or mental overwork, it is customary to drink an infusion of the plant.

Holly endowed huge amount magical properties. Every culture treats it differently. These trees with sharp edges on the foliage are able to protect their owners from unwanted guests. You just need to give them proper care and attention.

In the genus Holly, the Holly family, there are about 400 species of trees and shrubs growing from the tropics to temperate latitudes. A variety of species of holly combines, sometimes, plants with radically opposite characteristics.

They can be both deciduous and evergreen, creeping shrubs and multi-meter giants. In one leaf rosette, both spiky serrated leaves and completely smooth, entire ones can coexist. All hollies are dioecious species. Small, light-colored, flowers are located in the leaf axils. The fruits are berry-like, like a drupe.

Holly is classified as moisture-loving and shade-tolerant plants. For propagation, seeds that have undergone 18 months of stratification are used. They do not refuse the vegetative method of reproduction, although they do not like transplants and are very sick, taking root in a new place.

The plant is valued for its decorative effect, for the fact that it is able to keep its shape for quite a long time after cutting. Since ancient times, its branches have been treated with reverence, believing that they resist evil spirits, if strengthened above the entrance. The branches of the plant are still used in the motifs of Christmas wreaths, on garlands. They are often found on the covers of New Year's cards in the countries of the Old World.

Growing conditions and care for holly

There are many deciduous species among the hollies. The whorled holly, which grows in North American territory, is famous for its greatest decorative effect. It grows along the banks of rivers, in swamps and loves moisture very much. Prefers humus soil in shade south side garden plot. Sunny places are simply contraindicated for him. Requires special protection from winter sunlight. Does not tolerate drought. Its branches are olive-purple in color, with large elliptical leaves that change color from dark green to yellow-orange in autumn.

Holly holly Ilex Aquifolium

Holly holly variety Silver Queen Ilex Aquifolium Silver Queen Silver queen photo

The wild species of the plant is common in southern Europe, the expanses of North America and Asia Minor. It can be presented as a dwarf evergreen. But also called a holly holly tree, reaching a height of 15 meters. Its dense pyramidal or oval crown is formed by short spreading branches.

The oblong-ovate, short-petiolate leaf of the plant is characterized by the presence of a wavy edge, triangular teeth and large spines. The snow-white flowers, located on short pedicels, are very fragrant. bright red fruit spherical shape, whose diameter reaches 1 cm, can persist throughout the winter on their stalks.

And although holly holly considered a frost-resistant crop that can withstand a temperature of -22 ° C, this is not enough for the middle zone of the Russian Federation, and the plant has to be cultivated in winter garden. He likes shady places, maybe that's why he's no different. rapid growth. Has a lifespan of up to 100 years. Can be molded into a spherical or pyramidal shape. In general, for different forms of holly holly, a discrepancy in the shape of the leaf and crown is characteristic, according to color scheme fruits. Holly holly can often be found in beech, fir and spruce forests of the North Caucasus.

This type of plant has slight differences from its European brother. Therefore, botanists combined them under the names "Colchis holly", whose small leaves pierce strongly incised veins, and "Narrow-fruited holly", whose foliage is, and the fruit has a narrow bone. The Colchis holly originates from the regions of Asia Minor and Transcaucasia. In these places, it is a small tree, up to 2.5 m in height, with springy drooping branches or a shrub that spreads along the ground. AT middle lane Russia grows a shrub up to 0.5 meters tall. Its dark green leathery leaves- prickly, serrated. With the onset of autumn frosts, it freezes over, but, thanks to the ability to recover, it grows back.

Crested holly Ilex crenata

Sakhalin Island and the Kuril ridge are considered his homeland. The urban holly is tall tree up to 7 meters high. Rarely found as a bush. This species is very decorative. Its thick, like boxwood, greens are pruned. The Japanese prefer dwarf species holly and are very fond of trimming these bushes. In the Crimean-Caucasian region, the plant grows very slowly and almost does not bear fruit.

It is found in China, has wide sheet platinum, is characterized by poor flowering and fruit formation.

Paraguayan holly Ilex paraguariensis

The name speaks for itself, this plant comes from Paraguay - a country from central Africa, where the climate is very hot. Distributed in Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. Tea made from the leaves of the Paraguayan holly is called mate and has healing properties. The drink has a tonic effect and is brewed from dried leaves.

Colchis holly Ilex colchica

The shrub grows up to half a meter high, perfectly tolerates the conditions of central Russia. Dense leathery leaves with spines along the edge densely cover the crown. The rich dark green color of the leaves is luxuriously emphasized by the waxy sheen of the surface.

hybrid holly

In the Moscow region, a stunted crenate holly and its hybrid varieties. The hybrid obtained by crossing the Korean ordinary with the wrinkled holly took root especially. Its name is mezerva. It has frost resistance.
The Blue Maid variety differs from the rest in that heterosexual flowers are located on the same plant, although its green leaves do not have shine and are not as spectacular as, for example, Blue Angel. Most varieties have red or yellow color. They keep very well throughout the winter. With the branches of the plant (always with bright fruits), Western Europeans decorate the premises for Christmas.

Holly Meserva Blue Maid photo Planting and care

Large orange fruits against the background of white snow and greenery of coniferous trees look very attractive. Sometimes flower shops offer plant branches to decorate flower arrangements.

Popular varieties of holly in landscape design photo

Holly is great choice for formation: dwarf varieties short stature have excellent decorative properties, grow slowly and painlessly tolerate a haircut.

Variegated yellow-fruited holly holly variety Argentea Marginata Argentea Marginata photo

Very popular variegated varieties, characterized by the presence of a light border around the edge of the leaves. The plants look very elegant, and the yellow berries are unusual.

Holly holly variegata Ilex aquifolium'Silver Milkmaid' photo

The Silver Milkmaid variety has a very unusual leaf shape, as if twisted. The dark green color with strokes of bright yellow looks fantastic.

Holly holly variety Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Milkboy’ photo

An interesting variety is Silver Milkboy with milky white leaf centers and dark green edges of curly leaves with sharp carved edges.

Holly Holly Handsworth New Silver Ilex aquifolium ‘Handsworth New Silver’ photo

A very popular variety of Holly Holly Handswoss New Silver - it has almost no thorns, the leaves are slightly elongated. The variety is variegated: the edges of the leaves are painted milky white, but the berries have retained a bright scarlet color. Thanks to such contrasts, the variety is very decorative.

Ilex x altaclerensis golden king variety will become an original decoration of the garden and square. Unusual are wide leaves with small teeth, a yellow wide border around the edge. Rare bright scarlet fruits, like beads, are scattered on the branches.

Holly Meserva ‘Blue Princess’ photo

Mezerva hybrids have good frost resistance, which is why they are loved by residents of the middle lane and the Moscow region.

The genus Holly has approximately 400 species distributed in tropical and temperate regions. Deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees with serrated, prickly, sometimes entire leaves; small, dioecious, axillary flowers and berry-like fruits. With branches, common holly, fortified above the entrance to the dwelling, they drove away evil spirit before the founding of Rome.

Holly branches were used by the Baltic, Celtic, Slavic and Scandinavian peoples almost wherever this shrub is found. Holly branches are constantly found in Christmas wreaths and garlands in Europe, on gift cards and packaging.

Moisture-loving, shade-tolerant. Holly is propagated by seeds and vegetatively; seeds must be stratified for 18 months before sowing. The holly does not tolerate transplantation well; keeps the shape given by the haircut for a long time. Beautiful ornamental shrub for the south.

Types and varieties of holly

Holly wrinkled

grows on Far East: on Sakhalin, in Primorye. It grows in both fir-spruce and cedar-spruce forests.

Holly wrinkled - evergreen creeping or low shrub. Evergreen undersized shrub, 0.5 m high. There is no flowering. Winter hardiness is not high (partially freezes over). Not recommended for landscaping.

Wrinkled holly is an evergreen shrub growing in the Sikhote-Alin under the canopy of Ayan spruce forests in single specimens or in small groups. Wrinkled holly is common on Sakhalin, southern Kuriles. Other species of holly are found under the canopy of beech forests in the Balkans, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, tropical and subtropical regions. South America and Asia, the Kuriles and Sakhalin. Holly wrinkled - the oldest representative of the Far Eastern flora.

The wrinkled holly grew in the Tertiary time with magnolia, beech, which died out in Primorye, but miraculously survived in the Kuriles. The wrinkled holly grows in spruce forests in Sikhote-Alin only because here the shrub protects the snow cover in winter, and in summer time observed high humidity air.

Holly Holly

It grows wild in southern Europe, Asia Minor, North America.

Holly holly is an evergreen plant, sometimes a tree 15 m in height, with spreading, short branches forming a dense oblong or pyramidal crown. Holly leaves are short-petiolate, oblong-ovate, with a wavy margin and large, prickly, triangular teeth. The flowers are fragrant, white, on short stalks. Fruits up to 1 cm, spherical, bright red, in racemes on stalks remain on the branches all winter.

Holly grows slowly, very shade-tolerant, frost-resistant, can tolerate temperatures down to -22°C. In central Russia, it is not able to winter, and can only grow in winter gardens.

Perfectly molded, forming beautiful pyramidal and spherical trees. Lives for about 100 years. There are many forms that differ in the shape of the crown, the color and shape of the leaf, the color of the fruit.

Holly holly also grows in the North Caucasus. There it grows in spruce, fir and beech forests.

Caucasian plants are slightly different from European plants and therefore they are distinguished into 2 similar species - Colchis holly, with small bones and strongly incised leaf veins, and narrow-fruited holly, with narrow stones and large foliage.

The homeland of the Colchis holly is Transcaucasia and Asia Minor. In its homeland - a tree with drooping branches or a creeping shrub. In Russia, in the middle lane, the shrub grows no more than half a meter in height. The leaves are toothed, prickly, leathery, dark green. Sometimes it can freeze to a snow cover, but it will quickly recover.

holly goblin

Homeland of the holly crenate Kurile Islands and Sakhalin.

Tree 7 m tall, rarely shrub. Holly gourd is decorative with dense greenery, reminiscent of boxwood. In Japan, the holly is bred with dwarf, trimmed bushes. In culture in the Crimea and the Caucasus, it grew slowly and bore little fruit.

Undersized varieties grow in the gardens of Moscow gardeners.

A novelty for our flower growers was a hybrid of Korean holly, ordinary and wrinkled, which received its name mezerva holly. It is this hybrid that withstands frosts near Moscow.

There are a number of varieties: for example, "Blue Maid", which has both male and female flowers on one plant, the leaves are green, without a metallic sheen and not as showy as Blue Angel. Same-sex: "Blue Prince", "Blue Princess". Most varieties have red and yellow fruits. The fruits on the bushes remain all winter, and the branches of the holly, with dark green leaves and red fruits in Western Europe, serve as a decoration for Christmas.

But among evergreen hollies there are also deciduous species.

Very decorative whorled holly comes from North America. Found in swamps and stream banks.

Its branches, striking in beauty, are covered with orange round fruits that persist in winter period, contrast well with the whiteness of the snow and the faded green of coniferous trees and shrubs.

Sometimes the branches of this holly can be found in flower shops. Whorled holly deserves a more careful attitude from landscapers and flower growers. He loves fresh humus soils and a shady southern location in the garden.

Location: plant holly in a shady place with rich, light and moist soil. Holly is contraindicated in sunny places.

The holly can suffer from the winter sun and needs a place protected from bright rays. The holly does not tolerate drought well.

holly care

In the spring it is necessary to cover young plants to protect from sunlight.

Holly breeding

Holly propagates by cuttings, layering.

The use of holly in landscape design

Very effective in winter, when it is decorated with bright fruits. Used holly in group landings, on the edges and in the undergrowth.

1. Botanical description
2. Landing
3. reproduction
4. Application

Holly (lat. Ilex), or holly, includes several hundred species of trees and shrubs. All of them belong to the holly family. These plants have decorative foliage and fruits, distributed throughout Europe, in the subtropical and temperate zones of South and North America. Many of the hollies are relict plants.

Botanical description

Among the holly there are evergreen and deciduous species. Most of them are moisture-loving, prefer fertile soils. Grow in places slightly sheltered from the sun and in areas completely shaded by dense crowns of trees.

The trunks and adult shoots of holly are covered with gray or greenish smooth bark.. Dark green leaves are leathery, without pubescence, simple, ovate, with a pronounced central and lateral veins, occasionally with a yellow or white border. In some species, the edges of the plates have thin, sharp spines, in others they are figuratively indented.

The flowers are located in the axils of the leaves, rather inconspicuous, white or yellowish, small, collected in racemose inflorescences. They have no decorative value.

The fruits are round shiny bright red, black, yellow or orange drupes. They remain on the branches until winter. The fruits cannot be eaten, because the pulp, like the leaves, contains strong toxic alkaloids that can cause poisoning. The photo shows a holly with fruits

Kinds

All representatives are dioecious plants, that is, their female and male inflorescences are located on different individuals. There are creeping dwarf shrubs and quite powerful trees, reaching a height of more than 20 m.

common holly

Large tree about 15–18 m high with greenish-gray smooth bark. The leaves are shiny, glossy, dark green, with notched edges and hard short spines. The back side is lighter. The plant blooms in May or early June. In autumn, bright red berries about 1 cm in size, collected in small brushes, ripen. Common holly grows in the southern and temperate climates of Europe and North America, and is distinguished by moisture-loving, shade-tolerant and cold-resistant. The species is the basis for breeding many hybrid ornamental varieties.

Paraguayan holly

A low tree or shrub about 5–6 m high. It forms a dense crown, which is very decorative. The leaves are leathery, bright green, 10–12 cm long and about 5 cm wide. Egg-shaped plates with entire, slightly serrated edges. Flowers small, yellowish. The fruits are numerous red drupes about 0.5 cm in size. The species is found in the territories of South America.

Holly broadleaf, or Chinese

Far East evergreen tree or large shrub up to 8–12 m in height with a spreading wide crown. The bark is grayish, young shoots are bright green. The leaves are large, shiny, serrated, elongated, regular oval, 10–15 cm long. The berries are dark red, 0.6–1 cm in diameter.

Holly wrinkled

Another far eastern view. This dwarf evergreen creeping shrub reaches a height of no more than 60 cm, forms characteristic shriveled leaf blades. Shade-tolerant, has poor frost resistance. It dies at -20°C. Does not bloom or bear fruit. Distributed in Sakhalin, the Kuril and Japanese islands.

Ornate holly

The birthplace of the species is Japan. Externally, the plant resembles boxwood. It is a shrub or tree with long, thin, dense shoots and small, smooth, rounded leaves. Grows slowly, practically does not bear fruit, maximum height about 7 m.

Colchis holly

Distributed in the Caucasus and Asia Minor. At home, it grows to the size of a small tree, in a more severe temperate climate it forms a dwarf, not higher than 60 cm, form. Shoots are long, flexible. The leaves are dark green, toothed, have a lighter back side. Inflorescences are small, white. The fruits are small red berries. The plant is unstable to cold, but quickly recovers after freezing..

Whorled holly

very decorative deciduous plant common in eastern North America. This low shrub, about 1–1.5 m in height, has a wide dense crown. The leaves are leathery, rather small, about 3-4 cm. The fruits are bright orange, small, ripen at the end of September. If not cut off, they remain on the branches all winter, contrasting brightly with the bare shoots of other trees and shrubs.

Landing

Plants develop well in fertile, loose, breathable and drainable soil. In poor soil, it is necessary to add leaf humus, peat, soddy soil and sand in equal parts. Shady and well protected from the wind places are excellent for common holly and whorled holly, as these are the most hardy and frost-resistant species. Varieties Blue Baron, Blue Maid are able to withstand temperatures down to -28 ° C. A popular hybrid variety Ilex× meserveae can only grow in regions where winter temperatures fall below -15°C.

Other species in the middle lane will not survive in open ground. But you can put a heat-loving holly in a container with soil, take it to the site in the summer, and clean it indoors for the winter.

Planting material must be strong, have flexible healthy shoots, live buds and developed roots. Work is carried out at the end of April after the snow has completely melted and frosts have ended.

A pit for seedlings is dug at least 70 cm wide and deep. Its volume must exceed the size earthy coma 2 times. Drainage is laid out at the bottom, then a layer of soil is poured, the roots are carefully placed, the hole is evenly filled with prepared soil, and it is tamped a little. The neck should be flush with the surface. Immediately after planting, the plants are watered, spending about 15 liters of water per bush.

Care

In the first 2 seasons, the soil must be moistened 1-2 times a week. In the future, the irrigation regime is adjusted in accordance with the amount of spring, summer and autumn rains. Waterlogging, as well as lack of moisture, should not be allowed, because this can lead to rotting or drying out of the root system and shoots. In hot dry weather, you can additionally spray the crown.

Holly should be periodically fed by adding fertilizer to the soil. In the spring, before the start of the growing season, it is recommended to make compost, combining it with complex mineral compositions. Fertilize plants twice a month throughout the warm season. Use any organic matter, including rotted mullein, bird droppings, and mineral supplements: phosphorus, potassium.

The weeds are falling out trunk circles regularly loosen to a depth of about 5 cm. To prevent damage to aphids, the bushes are treated with insecticides.

Sanitary pruning of branches is carried out annually, frozen and diseased shoots are removed.. A decorative haircut is done only after the trees reach the age of 4–5 years.

For the winter, it is desirable to insulate the roots of the holly. For this they can mulch thick layer of foliage or sawdust. AT very coldy crowns are completely covered with burlap or agrofiber.

reproduction

The best way to propagate holly is vegetatively, because it allows you to maintain the varietal qualities of plants. Seeds quickly lose their germination capacity, so in practice they are not used to obtain seedlings.

Cuttings are harvested in May from one-year-old shoots that have not had time to fully lignify.. The segments should be about 10 cm long, have at least two internodes. The bases are treated with a growth stimulator, the leaves are removed. A third of the cuttings are placed in a nutritious moist substrate from a mixture of peat and sand. Rooting occurs in 2-3 months. Young specimens are grown for a year in a warm room, then planted in open ground.

When breeding by layering in the spring, cuts are made on the selected lateral shoots, bent and attached with staples or wire to the soil, lightly sprinkled with soil. During the summer, regularly water and add fertilizer. The following spring, rooted shoots are separated from the adult holly and transplanted.

Application

Holly branches are an ornament that is used in many European countries. At Christmas, their shoots decorate the premises.

Leaves and fruits contain useful substances, are used in folk medicine, cooking.

landscape design

Hollies are planted in gardens and greenhouses in groups or singly, used as hedges, to create topiaries. Hybrid variegated varieties look especially impressive. Dense decorative crown, perfectly shaped, slow growth, relative unpretentiousness make these plants almost universal.

Tea

Leaves, young shoots and fruits of the common, Paraguayan, Chinese and broad-leaved holly species contain biologically active substances:

• theobromine, theophylline, caffeine and other alkaloids;
• glycosides;
• organic acids;
• bitterness;
• saponins;
• tannins;
• vitamins.

From the young leaves of the Chinese holly, bitter kudin tea is prepared. With its help, strengthen the body, fight against overweight, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, poor digestion, nervous disorders.

Paraguayan holly - raw material for making mate. This drink stimulates cardiovascular system, brain function, improves mood, gives vigor, promotes detoxification and reduces fatigue, prevents apathy and depressive states.

The leaves and flowers of the broad-leaved holly are used in folk medicine for the preparation of diuretics, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hemostatic and bactericidal agents.

Wood

The woody massif of holly is light brown, olive or yellowish in color with a contrasting natural pattern outwardly reminiscent of boxwood. The density is about 570–700 kg/m 3 . Biostability and resistance to moisture below average. The fibers are located in different directions, so the wood is difficult to process. However, the material lends itself well to grinding, gluing and painting. Thanks to its strength and decorative appearance it is used to make small parts, wooden jewelry, souvenirs, design elements.

In nature holly distributed virtually everywhere in tropical and temperate forests. Genus holly includes over 400 species evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and even vines. Latin name holly ( Ilex) comes from the name of the holm oak ( Quercus ilex). In the English speaking world holly known by the name Holly , it is also a beautiful female name.

blooms holly inconspicuous, small light flowers that form in the leaf axils in spring. More often, male and female flowers are formed on different trees, so for education holly berries it is necessary to plant male and female trees not far from each other. Holly fruits, colloquially called berries, from a botanical point of view, are stone fruits. young shoots holly have a pointed shape, and the leaves are simple alternate, at the ends they can be whole or cut. Leaves holly holly equipped with sharp spikes. spikes holly unusually prickly and retain their sharpness for a long time even on fallen old leaves. When removing these leaves, it is easy to pierce your finger, even with thick gardening gloves.

Holly (holly) and Christmas

Holly has long been valued by man. Like the mistletoe holly used in Ancient Rome during the Saturnian winter festivities, on the site of which, with the advent of Christianity, Christmas arose. In the beliefs of the druids holly symbolized the sun, so the ancient Celts decorated their houses with young shoots holly during the dark winter months. So far in Christian countries holly is a traditional Christmas plant and is widely used during the winter holidays to decorate the room and the festive table, as a material for making a Christmas wreath, and even sometimes instead of the "main Christmas tree - the Christmas tree.

North American Indians used the leaves of the local sickening holly ( Ilex vomitoria) , known for its laxative and emetic properties, as an antidote during its religious rituals and in medicine. From the young leaves and twigs of this holly they made a drink they called black tea. Interestingly, the Paraguayan drink mate (mate) made from dried leaves Paraguayan holly ( Ilex paraguariensis) , a chinese kudin- dried leaves holly kudinsky ( Ilex kudingcha) . Leaves guayusa holly (Ilex guayusa) contain caffeine and are also used as an invigorating tea in Ecuador.

Types of holly (holly) in garden and park culture

Holly holly (common holly, holly, Ilex aquifolium) and its many forms and hybrids. Cold resistance holly holly- presumably from the climatic zone 5 . Known female varieties of holly: Handsworth New Silver, Golden King with green-yellow leaves and red berries; Amber- compact shrub with spectacular orange berries. Male varieties of holly: Silver Queen(the name of the variety does not always correctly reflect the genus of the plant). Variety of holly holly Ferox Argentea has small spotted leaves. Self-pollinating varieties holly : J.C. van Tol, Pyramidalis. These are trees or shrubs with bicolor speckled green-yellow leaves with almost no thorns and red berries. Young shoots of these hollies have a pronounced purple hue.

Holly Altaklarensky ( Ilex x altaclerensis) . Exceptionally hardy and hardy evergreen trees with thornless leaves. Holly Altaklarensky great for growing in cities, because. able to resist gas pollution. Known female varieties holly Altaklarensky: Belgica Aurea, Wilsonii (With bright red berries and young shoots of a purple hue) and male Hodginsii . There are varieties with bicolor leaves, see. a photo.

Other popular among gardeners cold-resistant kinds holly include: broad-leaved holly ( Ilex latifolia) American holly ( Ilex opaca) with yellow, orange and red berries, Ilex glabra with black berries Ilex crenata with black berries (varieties Convexa, Golden Gem ), Ilex x meserveae (female and male varieties blue princess and blue prince respectively), whorled holly ( Ilex verticillata) - exceptionally frost-resistant and decorative deciduous holly, in winter its bare branches are completely covered with bright red berries, female grade winter red .

Holly (holly): cultivation

Holly (holly) in the garden does not require much attention. Holly grow on sandy or clay soils, provided they have good water permeability and humus content. Holly drought-resistant, many species are frost-resistant. Holly willingly put up with penumbra, but it should be borne in mind that in varieties with two-color or three-color leaves, the contrast of colors will best manifest itself on open sun. Yes, in my garden Holly and Altaklaren hollies feel great in the most unfavorable conditions of arid shade. Formative pruning holly if necessary, it is better to do after the end of fruiting, i.e. at the start of the new season. In bicolor varieties holly it is better to prune shoots with green leaves if they appear.

At the time of buying holly the need for cross-pollination should be taken into account: for most species holly one plant may not be enough for abundant fruiting. Two trees, male and female, are best planted close to each other.

Holly occasionally affected by late blight ( Phytophthora), which leads to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. Trees affected by the disease should be destroyed, and the soil around should be disinfected.

Holly (holly) in the garden

AT garden design hollies find great use in a strip of shrubs of a natural garden, where they provide the necessary shelter for insects and winter food for birds, thanks to the berries that are stored on hollies actually before the start of a new flowering. It is thanks to birds that reproduction occurs hollies in nature: eating berries, birds carry the seeds contained in them literally everywhere. Yes, young sprouts holly are among the most intrusive weeds.

Holly lend themselves perfectly to a curly haircut, so they make beautiful topiary. Bonsai enthusiasts also like to work with slow-growing holly.

From a practical point of view hollies are of interest as windbreaks, seashore plants (because of their high salt tolerance) and as very reliable hedges. Because of the unusually thorny leaves holly closely planted plants can be safely entrusted with the protection of the garden from unwanted visitors. See what decorative compositions for Christmas and New Year are obtained from holly!