Holly and ivy are not just for Christmas

By Joan Christie
13 Dec '01

THERE are so many known species of holly, around 400, most of them evergreen, and such a great variety of leaf shape and colour, that you could plan a very interesting evergreen garden using hollies alone.

Although red is the usual colour of the common holly other varieties bear lovely yellow, bronze yellow and orange berries, but it’s the colour and variety of leaf shape that attracts me.

One thing does irk me about the holly family and that is the confusion caused by the names.

Golden King, a medium tree with spineless green leaves with bright yellow margins and small white flowers followed by bright red fruits, is female, whereas Golden Queen, with dark green spiny leaves with broad yellow margins, is male.

Golden Milkboy is, as you would normally expect, male! So when buying hollies it is well to identify the sex of the plant as both male and female are required if berries are to follow.

Hollies thrive in fertile, moist, well-drained loamy soil. They will do either in full sun or partial shade, so they would blend well with azaleas or rhododendrons in a woodland setting, thereby creating all year interest.

Silver Sentinel is one of the most handsome variegated hollies. It is erect in habit and female.

Many hollies, as well as making an impact as single specimens, are excellent for hedges. Ilex Ferox, the hedgehog holly makes a sturdy low hedge. It is an interesting plant rather than a pretty one with its puckered leaves furnished with short, sharp spines.

The ivies (Hedera) are undervalued by gardeners.

They provide ground cover, growing where not even grass will grow. They can clothe walls and pergolas with eye-catching glossy or variegated leaves in many sizes and shapes. Black, red, orange or cream fruits follow the insignificant flowers. Ivies are good, as well, for industrial sites and will withstand severe pruning.

Evergreens which cling to walls without additional support are a boon and the ivies must considered the finest of all the hardy self-clingers.

Hedera Colchica dentate, the Persian ivy, is the finest, if you are looking for bold, glossy, heart-shaped leaves, and its variegated form will light a shady wall with its creamy yellow leaves.

A smaller leaved species is Goldheart. Paddy’s Pride is another good one with pale green leaves splashed with yellow. It, like Goldheart, is capable of reaching five metres.