THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503100109
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G15 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: WEEDER'S DIGEST
SOURCE: BY ROBERT STIFFLER, GARDENING COLUMNIST
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
HOLLY IS SO common in our landscapes that we often overlook its merits. In the United States, about 50 species and hundreds of named varieties are in cultivation. Worldwide, there are about 500 species.
Holly belongs to the genus Ilex. Holly plants are dioecious, having male flowers and female flowers on separate plants. Berries are produced when the female flower is pollinated by the male. One male can pollinate up to 10 female plants.
But until holly plants are old enough to flower, they cannot produce berries. Gardeners often ask why their hollies do not have berries. The Holly Society of America offers these other reasons:
It is a male plant and will never grow berries.
Plants are of the same sex.
The female plant is not close enough to a male plant to ensure pollination by insects. Or the nearby males didn't bloom when the female did.
Bad weather at flowering time may have kept the bees inactive.
Flowers may be killed by a late frost.
Male and female trees are different varieties. Some hybrids will accept pollination from different hybrids, but not all will.
Most hollies have berries if given enough time. Check before buying to make sure the variety you want will produce berries.
Because berries provide color, almost everyone wants them. Red, yellow, orange, black and white berries are available. Foliage ranges from lustrous dark green to gray and variegated with white and yellow.
About the only planting precaution is providing protection from early morning winter sun, as well as intense reflection from snow.
Hollies thrive in a soil that is slightly acid, well drained and light in texture. They also like to be well-fertilized. Hollies benefit from having mulch around their roots.
The Holly Society of America recommends organic fertilizer in early spring.It releases nutrients through the year, keeping holly leaf color a good green.
Among newer varieties that are popular is Nellie Stevens, the favorite of many professionals. It can be pruned into a hedge or grown as a tree. The male version is named Edward Stevens. Other new ones are Winterberry and Sparkleberry, which lose their leaves in winter to reveal masses of red berries.
Leaves often turn yellow because of stress brought on by heavy fruiting. North Carolina State University specialists describe the yellowing as evidence of a nutritional problem.
Espoma, the manufacturers of Holly-tone organic fertilizer, has a free booklet titled ``Holly Care.'' It can be obtained at Smithfield Gardens, Coleman's Nursery, Johnson's Gardens and Atlantic Garden Centers. by CNB