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Home ›Bushes and trees› Holly (Holly): photo, planting and care in the Moscow region
Holly or holly is a mysterious plant that is reflected in Spanish poetry. Among the river oxen, sedges and holly, the most mysterious mysteries of Spanish dance and the festivals of passion and dance took place.
It is not surprising that this strikingly beautiful plant, accustomed to a tropical climate, gardeners are trying to grow with success in the Moscow region and even in colder regions. Preference is given to evergreens with carved dense leaves and bright berries of blood red, scarlet or yellow color.
Holly is found with black or white berries. There are over 400 species of holly in total and most of them are strikingly beautiful and are used in landscaping and home decoration.
The holly got its name for the special shape of dense leaves - in some species, the curly cutouts of the foliage end in long and sharp thorns. Due to its density and presence of thorns, the plant is indispensable for creating insurmountable hedges. As you can see in the photo, the decorative potential of the holly is impressive.
The classic holly holly or holly Mezerva is a plant marked by a special mystical power. Even before the founding of Rome, evil forces were driven away with holly wreaths. It was believed that holly destroys evil, slander, envy and helps courageous, strong and passionate people to achieve their goal.
Holly or ilex is the plant of Saturnalia, the descent into the afterlife. The banks of Lethe are rivers in the kingdom of the dead, overgrown with ilex and its sharp shoots hurt the legs of inconsolable souls who parted with their love. Christmas cards often feature rosettes of holly leaves and berries.
Few remember the ancient mystical meanings, but the use of the plant as a blessing and warning sign has survived in relatively new religions. In ancient Celtic cults, the holly was also given considerable attention as a plant that drives away evil in any form.
In the Celtic ornaments of the present, we can trace stylized holly leaves. Initially, the holly is considered a plant of the god of healing Asclepius, although the god had to collect it in the underworld, on the swampy banks of the river of oblivion.
A crenellated tropical holly is a tree about 7 meters high. This species produces the densest greens, reminiscent of boxwood. Unfortunately, in Russia, even in Crimea, the climate is too cool for this species.
Holly Mezerva is a relatively new hybrid resulting from the crossing of Korean, wrinkled and common holly. It is this hybrid that withstands the climate of central Russia, it can be grown in the Moscow region. It is an evergreen plant that does not shed foliage with its characteristic bright berries.
general description
Holly are deciduous, but more often evergreen trees, shrubs and even vines with shiny, dense alternate leaves that have a dark green or two-tone color. The edge of the leaf plate can be either solid or indented with very sharp spines.
The holly bloom is unremarkable and has no decorative value. In the spring, small light flowers appear in the leaf axils.Male and female flowers usually grow on different trees.
Holly berries are drupes of red, orange, yellow, white or black. They are bright, beautiful and stay on the plant all winter. Holly berries are poisonous to humans, but they are not dangerous for birds.
How kudin is grown and harvested
Broadleaf holly, a source of raw material for this drink, is native to more than a dozen provinces in China where it is produced, but each province is justifiably proud of its variety of kudin.
In nature, the plant reaches a height of 20 m, but in culture it is kept in the form of a bush for easy collection, that is, it is sheared all the time. In this it is not much different from a tea bush.
Leaves are simple, 8-25 cm long, 4.5-8.5 cm wide, alternate, thick, leathery. The upper side of the leaf is usually dark green and shiny, while the lower side is lighter and matte. The edge of the leaf blade is serrated, the outer and inner sides of the leaf are without pubescence, with a pronounced central vein.
He prefers deep, loose and moderately moist soils. Heat-loving. It can withstand frosts down to -13 ° С without damage.
At home, berries are harvested from the plant in order to either dry them or freeze them later. These berries are a storehouse of vitamins, they are produced in limited quantities, are extremely expensive and sell out instantly. They practically do not stale; they are an extremely exclusive and rare commodity in Chinese cuisine.
The raw materials for the drink are collected and processed in the southern Chinese provinces on the humid shady slopes of the mountains, in the canyons and along the banks of the channels in mixed forests; the kudin does not like direct sunlight. It has several varieties - twisted kudin, spiral, knitted, sheet, pressed, etc.
The infusion is obtained, depending on the variety, from light yellow to deep gray-green in color. The highest category Kudin Shui Xiu is obtained from tiny leaves resembling, when dried, small needles, which are collected in the territory of Sichuan province.
Holly species
- originally from the Far East. It is an evergreen shrub up to half a meter high. It grows short or spreads along the ground, and spends the winter under the snow.
originates from Asia Minor and Transcaucasia. Under natural conditions, this is a tree, and in the middle lane it grows in the form of a creeping bush that does not exceed the snow cover. In our conditions, it often freezes, but during the warm season it grows quickly.
- the most decorative species from North America, it is a shrub up to 3 meters high. Its spreading crown grows slowly, the plant begins to bloom no earlier than 12 years old.
Holly Gorodchaty - his homeland is
Japan and South Sakhalin. Most often it is a tree, reaching a height of 7 m, sometimes it is a shrub with small and numerous leaves.
Holly paraguay
comes from South America, where it grows up to 15 meters in height. It is from it that mate is prepared - a delicious and healing drink that helps to restore strength.
the most famous and widespread species, growing in Europe, Southwest Asia and North Africa. It is an evergreen tree, reaching a height of 10 to 25 meters with a trunk 30-80 cm in diameter and gray smooth bark. Leaves with jagged sharp wavy curved edges 5-12 cm long, 2-6 wide. Fruits are red, up to 1 cm in diameter. The plant blooms from May to June with small white bisexual flowers, bears fruit in September-February. It has many varieties and is widely used in landscaping. There are varieties suitable for keeping as a pot plant.
Main characteristics of varieties
- Holly wrinkled
... Growing area - fir, spruce forests of Sakhalin and the Far East. Low evergreen shrub (height does not exceed half a meter) does not bloom. - Holly crenate
most often can be found on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin.This species is distinguished by dense greenery and practically no fruit. It is widely used in Western Europe as an element of Christmas wreaths.
Advice
: regardless of the holly variety, the use of its leaves (bark, berries) was carried out only as directed and under the supervision of a physician.
- Common holly
- a tree reaching a height of ten meters. Preferring moist, shady forests, the plant is distinguished by very beautiful, glossy, dark green leaves framed by thorns along the edges. In addition to its decorative properties, this type of holly has a wide range of therapeutic uses. - Paraguay Holly
- a tree whose height rarely exceeds five meters. Differs in very large (up to 20 cm long) leaves, serrated at the edges.
Holly care
Holly in a pot culture is very difficult to care for. In indoor conditions, the height and width can eventually reach 1.8 m. Although the plant is poisonous, its toxins are not dangerous to life. Care must be taken with its thorny leaves.
Temperature and lighting
Holly grows well in partial shade, but even tolerates a certain amount of direct sunlight. Variegated varieties need good lighting so that they do not lose their decorative effect.
The plant does not like heat, it is better that in the room where the holly stands, the temperature does not rise above 21 degrees... In winter, the temperature should be about 10 degrees, it should not fall below 0 and rise above 15 - otherwise, you will not grow holly.
Air humidity and watering
The holly absolutely cannot stand the stagnation of moisture in the pot, as well as the complete drying out of an earthen coma. The soil should dry out between waterings. Water abundantly in summer, reduce moisture in winter. Leaves need to be sprayed regularly, especially at high temperatures.
Fertilization and feeding
Once a month from April to September with complex fertilizers.
Soil and transplant
There is no need to replant the plant annually - do it every 2-3 years. You can take a ready-made universal soil and add perlite and charcoal to it. Needs good drainage and a pot of holes.
Flowering and pruning
Small white flowers in spring and summer. Holly is a dioecious plant. In order for the fruits to form, it is necessary that the female and male plants stand nearby.
Requires regular formative pruning, in which care must be taken due to the sharp leaves. Holly can be grown as a bonsai.
Site selection: lighting and soil
Holly does not require special attention to itself in the growing process. Nevertheless, there are points that should not be omitted. Holly loves to grow in the shaded area
, so it should not be planted in the open sun. It is also recommended to protect it from the wind.
Did you know?
Literal translation of the wordHollywoodmeans
«
holly grove
»
or "holly grove".
Holly care is pretty straightforward. You just need to familiarize yourself with a number of recommendations and tips.
Watering, weeding and loosening
Most often this plant is enough natural precipitation
... It usually does not require additional watering. If there is a prolonged drought, it is possible to moisten the soil, but this should be done only in the evening or early in the morning, long before the heat of the day. 2-3 watering a week will be enough for the holly, since he also does not tolerate stagnant water in the soil.
Additionally, you can spray the foliage of the tree with cold water. Also, do not forget about loosening the soil and weeding the site from. Loosening is required in order for the soil to pass air and moisture well, and weeding is required to avoid the use of nutrients from the soil by other plants.
Top dressing
For the normal development of a plant in a personal plot, it will be needed from time to time. In the spring, pour it into the root zone mixed with complex. Also, no more than twice a month, you can fertilize with liquid and mineral mixtures.
A haircut
Due to the fact that beautiful holly can be formed from holly, you should take care of their appearance. At the very beginning of the spring season, you need to prune the branches to form an attractive crown. Wood growing rather slowly
, therefore, a neat crown will delight the eye almost all year. As for the curly, it is also allowed and can be applied if desired.
Wintering
Speaking about holly, namely about its winter hardiness, it should be noted that to endure short-term drops in temperature, down to -22 ° C, it can
... But at the same time, it can be difficult for him to survive the whole winter in especially cold areas. You can protect it with or. It is also permissible to use dry fallen leaves or spruce branches.
Did you know?
Harry Potter, the protagonist of J. Rowling's series of novels, had a magic wand made from holly.
Pests, diseases and possible problems
May be affected by mealybugs, whiteflies, scale insects, aphids. When the air humidity is low, spider mites will almost certainly appear. Treat the plant with insecticide.
Root rot can appear when the soil is waterlogged.
Spots on the leaves can be the result of fungal diseases - you need to remove the affected leaves and treat the holly with an appropriate fungicide.
Holly suffers greatly from the heat.
Sunburn is possible, especially in specimens with dark, monochromatic foliage and young plants.
In European countries, holly is used in landscape design, but in our region, not all of its species and varieties can be planted in open ground ..
Open field cultivation
When planting a shrub in open ground, it is important to remember some of the features of the process:
- The plant is very difficult to tolerate ambient temperatures below -20C. In areas where low air temperatures prevail, it is better to use special frost-resistant varieties.
- The tree grows well in sandy, loamy soils.
- The best time of year for planting a plant is spring.
- The best landing site is partial shade.
- The main breeding method for holly is cuttings.
Holly description
Hollows are unpretentious - they tolerate shading well, easily withstand a curly haircut, grow slowly and are able to live up to a hundred years. Perhaps the only drawback of most holly is their low winter hardiness. For example, the European holly (holly) withstands only short-term frosts (maximum limit: -20 ° C).
In the North Caucasus, holly is found naturally, but its specimens growing in the upper part of the forest belt do not look decorative at all and do not exceed the depth of the snow cover in height.
European holly in our country can be grown as a tub culture (in a winter garden). However, there are species and varieties that are more adapted to the conditions of our region.
It is important to remember that holly plants are dioecious, so two copies should be planted in the garden at once. If you do not adhere to this rule, the plants will not be decorated with berries (namely, they give the holly a special beauty).
Types and varieties of holly
Prolonged hypothermia (below -20 ° C) can withstand hybrids and varieties:
Meservae (Ilex x meservae) Blue Baron Blue Maid Blue Princess China Boy China Girl
In addition to holly (European holly), the following are grown in culture:
Wrinkled holly (I. rugosa) - naturally it grows in the Far East. This species is a low or creeping evergreen shrub wintering under snow cover. Colchis holly (I. colchica) - the birthplace of the plant is the Transcaucasus and Asia Minor.This species is distinguished by its relative frost resistance and can be grown in the conditions of central Russia. In winter, he often freezes, but in spring he quickly recovers. Crenate holly (serrated holly) - This species grows in Japan and southern Sakhalin. In Russia, low-growing varieties of this species are grown (at home, a tree can reach a height of seven meters).
Holly breeding methods
Holly reproduce by seed and vegetative means. Seeds need stratification for 18 months (in natural conditions, they undergo natural stratification, passing through the digestive tract of birds).
In culture, holly is usually propagated by cuttings (all other advantages of this method include the preservation of the varietal characteristics of the plant).
Holly cuttings are cut from semi-lignified shoots of the current season. A sharp garden knife is used for cutting. Shoot sections length: 4–5 cm (each cutting should contain 1–2 internodes). Slices are made oblique: the lower cut should go under the kidney, and the upper one - above it.
Sliced cuttings are immediately planted in greenhouses. Optimal substrate: a layer of humus (8-12 cm), covered with a layer of sand 3-4 cm thick. Planting depth of holly cuttings: 1.5-2 cm.
The cuttings planted in the substrate are regularly sprayed, covered from bright sunlight, and made sure that the temperature does not drop. The rooting process takes 2-4 weeks. Cuttings with a well-developed root system are transplanted to a permanent place.
Choosing a site for growing holly
In the conditions of Russia, thermophilic varieties of holly are often grown in tubs, taking them outside during the warm season. Frost-resistant varieties can be a real decoration of the garden.
Shaded areas of the garden with moist (no stagnant moisture), nutritious and light soil are suitable for hollies. The place must be protected from the wind.
Holly care
Holly need shelter from the cold - it is built from spruce paws and dry leaves. The trunk circle is mulched with sawdust or peat. Holly is shaded in the spring to prevent sunburn.
The trunk circle is loosened, dried or dead branches are removed. In varieties with variegated leaves, shoots with monophonic foliage are cut off. In the spring, the trunk circle is covered with compost mixed with complex mineral fertilizer.
In most cases, the plants do not need additional watering - the soil moisture is enough for the hollies. Curly shearing of plants is made at will - holly grows slowly and naturally have a neat crown.
Holly is a popular ornamental crop. Some plant species are successfully grown in our region.
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In Celtic mythology, there is a legend about the tree kings - the eternal competition between the Holly King, who ruled the waning (dark) part of the year, and the Oak King, who ruled the arriving (light) part of the year.
On the winter solstice, Yule defeated the Oak King and ruled until the height of summer, but on the summer solstice, Holly King returned and defeated his rival. And so every year two parts of one whole fought, brothers-enemies who could not exist without each other. The drama of the Kings represents the constant changing of the seasons.
So, Yule is the holiday of the return of the King of the Oak. From the green forests in a green wreath comes the King of Oak Leaves. The Young King, the sovereign and personification of the bright half of the year, triumphs over the Holly King (Holly King). The Bright King Oak rules from Yule to Lita, from the longest night of the year to its longest day. The day of his return is a holiday of family and family ties, home warmth. This is the time to remember your past achievements, make plans, make plans and dream.
Trees were sacred to the ancient Celts. The Celts considered the holly (holly) a magical tree, symbolizing the continuity of life; its branches were decorated with dwellings to protect against the forces of evil.During the summer, the mighty oaks are the most visible trees in the forest, and in the winter, when all the leaves fall, the holly or evergreen holly stands in bright green with red berries among the bare trunks - a real miracle of winter. In summer, the holly is lost among the rest of the greenery.
Holly is a plant common on almost all continents, both in our latitudes and in the tropics. Interestingly, it is endowed with magical properties everywhere. For example, the North American Indians used it during various religious rituals. Holly plays a special role in the European tradition. The custom of decorating houses with evergreens (holly, mistletoe, conifers) at Christmas dates back to pre-Christian times. The branches of palm, laurel and holly were used by the Romans during the celebration of Saturnalia (on the day of the winter solstice). Centuries later, the early Christians chose holly to decorate their homes for Christmas.
King Holly is often portrayed almost like Santa Claus, only wearing a green robe adorned with holly twigs. And the Oak King is the Horned God of the Forests, or as the Green Man, one of the most revered gods by druids. This legend was gradually forgotten, from it another story was born - about the battle of the Green Knight and Lord Gawain, which entered the cycle of stories about King Arthur, and then the realm of legends left, leaving us only the image of a man in green - a cheerful Christmas elf performing, in the light of the moon, various tricks, in a mockery of people. Christianity dissolved in itself the ancient pagan beliefs, but could not destroy them completely, no matter how hard it tried. Legend has it that when all the trees heard that Christ was going to be crucified, they agreed among themselves that they would not allow their trunks to be used to make the cross. And when the ax touched them, they shattered into thousands of pieces. Only the holly remained intact and allowed himself to be made an instrument of the Lord's passions. Its sharp leaves represent the crown of thorns and suffering, and its red berries represent the blood of Christ. It is believed that a wreath of holly was laid on Christ's head and its berries, which were originally white, turned red from the blood of the Savior. Perhaps that is why this plant later became a recognized symbol of Christmas. So, with the advent of Christianity, the beliefs of the Celts went into the realm of legends, the main attributes of Yule, gradually became symbols of Christmas, and the tree kings worried people more with their battles, but were not forgotten.
Holly, or holly (Ilex) - a genus of popular trees and shrubs from the Holly family. Holly is prized for its shiny leathery leaves, which are dark green or bi-colored, and bright attractive berries that can be red, yellow, white, black or orange. The berries ripen in autumn and are well preserved on plants all winter.The following types and cultivars of holly are most common in culture:
I. aquifolium - Holly, or common, and its many forms and hybrids. Hardiness zones - presumably from 5. There are known female plants Handsworth New Silver and Golden King with green-yellow leaves and red berries, as well as Amber - a compact shrub with effective orange berries. Male cultivars: Silver Queen (the name does not always correctly reflect the genus of the plant). Ferox Argentea has small mottled leaves. It is worth noting two valuable self-pollinating cultivars - J.C. van Tol and Pyramdalis are trees or shrubs with bicolor green-yellow leaves with almost no thorns and red berries. Young shoots have a pronounced purple hue.
I. altaclerensis are extremely hardy, hardy evergreens. Great for urban cultivation as can resist gas pollution. The female varieties Belgica Aurea and Wilsonii (with bright red fruits and young shoots of a purple hue) and the male Hodginsii are known.
I. opaca - American holly.Tall (up to 15 meters) plants from North America with red, yellow or orange berries. Frost resistance - zones 5-9.
I. glabra - hardy (zones 4-9), compact shrubs with black berries.
I. crenata are small, abundantly fruiting shrubs with black berries. The cultivars Convexa and Golden Gem are known. Cold hardiness zones - 5-8.
I. x meserveae is another cold hardy variety with red berries. Known female and male cultivars Blue Princess and Blue Prince
I. verticillata is a frost-resistant (zones 3-9) and exclusively ornamental plant. A deciduous shrub, densely covered with bright red berries in winter, which look delightful against the bare branches. In nature, holly are distributed virtually everywhere. They grow in both tropical and temperate forests. The genus of Holly consists of over 400 species and includes evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and vines. The Latin name of the genus comes from the name of the stone oak (Quercus ilex).
Holly bloom inconspicuously, with small light flowers, which are formed in the axils of leaves in spring. Most often, male and female flowers are formed on different plants, therefore, for the formation of fruits, it is necessary to plant male and female plants close to each other. Holly fruits, commonly called berries, are from a botanical point of view a stone fruit. Young shoots of holly have a pointed shape, and the leaves are simple alternate, at the ends they can be whole or indented with thorns. Holly thorns are unusually sharp and retain their sharpness even on fallen old leaves. Removing these leaves is easy to pierce your finger even with heavy gardening gloves. Hollows have long been valued by humans. Like mistletoe, holly were used in ancient Rome during the Saturnian winter festivals, on the site of which Christmas arose with the advent of Christianity. In the beliefs of the Druids, holly symbolized the sun, so the ancient Celts decorated their homes with young shoots of the plant during the gloomy winter months. Until now, the holly is a traditional Christmas plant and is widely used during the winter holidays as a decoration for premises and a festive table, as a material for making Christmas wreaths and even sometimes instead of the "main" Christmas tree - a tree. North American Indians used the leaves of the local tea holly (I. vomitoria), known for its laxative and emetic properties, as an antidote in their religious rituals and in medicine. They made a drink from young leaves and twigs, which they called black tea. As a garden plant, holly does not require much attention. They are ready to grow on sandy or clayey soils, provided they are well water-permeable and contain humus. Holly leaves are willing to put up with partial shade, but it should be borne in mind that in varieties with two-colored leaves, color contrast is best manifested in the open sun. Of the diseases, holly are sometimes affected by late blight (Phytophthora), which leads to decay of the roots and death of the plant. Plants affected by the disease should be destroyed, and the soil throughout the entire area should be disinfected.
Formative pruning, if you want to do it, is best done after the end of fruiting. Many hollies benefit from pruning. In bicolor varieties, it is best to prune green-leaved shoots if they appear.
It is better to plant holly as young plants in winter or early spring, more adults do not like such anxiety. When buying a new plant from a garden center, be sure to consider the need for cross-pollination for most cultivars and that one plant may not be enough for abundant fruiting. In garden design, holly find excellent use in forest belts of natural or wild gardens, where they provide the necessary shelter for insects and food for birds, thanks to their berries,which are stored on plants until the beginning of a new flowering. By the way, it is thanks to birds that the reproduction and distribution of holly occurs in nature: by eating berries, they carry the seeds contained in them everywhere. In my garden, young holly sprouts are some of the most intrusive weeds that appear in the most inaccessible places: under a hedge or from under a fence. If you do not get rid of them immediately, then the sprouts will sprout a deep long root, from which it will be much more difficult to get rid of. Holly planted with tapeworm and in groups look great. Good partners for holly trees are traditionally Mahonia, hydrangea, euonymus and many other trees. Holly can be used in formal designs: they lend themselves well to curly hairstyles, so they make beautiful topiary. Bonsai lovers love to work with slow-growing holly.
From a practical point of view, hollies are of interest as wind shelters, coastal plants (due to their high salt tolerance) and as very reliable hedges. Due to the unusually thorny leaves in many species, plants can be safely trusted to guard the garden from unwanted visitors.
On the eve of New Year's holidays in flower shops you can find a very interesting low plant with glossy, often variegated, thorny leaves, slightly wavy and jagged along the edges, and bright red berries - this is holly, or holly. In Europe, holly is a favorite Christmas plant, symbolizing suffering, resurrection, hope and eternal life.
The traditions of decorating temples and houses for Christmas in different countries are slightly different, mainly evergreens growing nearby are used. Our symbol of Christmas has become a spruce, which is decorated on the eve of the holiday; it is its green branches in combination with white flowers that adorn churches.
Holly is one of the few native evergreens in the British Isles and has a great capacity to adapt to harsh conditions. People paid attention to the hardy holly, which preserves not only its green leaves even in winter, but also the red berries of holly long before the advent of Christianity. Magical properties were attributed to the plant, it was a symbol of the struggle between life and death. Holly occupied a large place among the Druids at the winter solstice festival. Like many other pagan traditions deeply embedded in everyday life, decoration with holly branches later became an attribute of Christian Christmas, celebrated at the same time.
Holly does not grow in our country, and its use at Christmas is more likely not a tradition, but a tribute to fashion, but the plant is unusual and attractive, especially the numerous variegated forms. The novelty fell in love and is willingly bought as a houseplant. In order for it to adapt well and to please in the future, we must try to take into account its natural capabilities.
Air humidity
holly needs high. Spray the leaves frequently on hot days in summer. In winter, the plant should rest in a cool place; in such conditions, the air humidity should not be increased. Dry warm air causes severe spider mite infestation, which can lead to leaf fall and death of the plant.
Soil and transplants.
Holly does not impose any special requirements on the soil, it can grow in both acidic and slightly alkaline substrates, but it is important that the soil mixture is well drained throughout, the holly does not tolerate stagnant water in the roots. A ready-made universal peat substrate with the addition of perlite is suitable for it. The growth rate of the holly is low, so there is no need for annual transplants, it is transplanted by careful transfer into a pot 2-3 cm larger in diameter every few years, as the roots develop the previous volume.
Top dressing
applied from spring to autumn, using ready-made universal mineral complex fertilizers with microelements in a half dose.
Reproduction.
Holly seeds germinate poorly and require preliminary stratification, and in varietal plants the seedlings will differ from the parent specimen, therefore it is mainly propagated by vegetative methods: cuttings and layering.
On the cuttings, the apical parts of the shoots about 10 cm long are taken and planted in peat / coconut tablets or in a prepared substrate according to the standard technique, using Kornevin. The planted cuttings are placed in a greenhouse. Rooting can take several months.
For layering, a branch is tilted to the ground, at the point of contact with the ground, the bark is slightly scratched at the site of the knot, powdered with Kornevin, fixed with a hairpin and sprinkled with a small layer of substrate.
Flowering and fruiting.
Flowering occurs in May. The flowers are fragrant, but small, inconspicuous. A single specimen does not produce fruits. Since the holly is a dioecious plant, for fruiting it is necessary to have both a flowering male and a female specimen, and to carry out artificial pollination. The exception is some hermaphrodite varieties. The fruits ripen in autumn - for humans, especially for small children, they are poisonous. In nature, the fruits become edible for birds and rodents after the first frost.
Pruning and shaping.
If the plant is kept only as a decorative deciduous plant, then it can be cut at any time. If flowering is interesting or fruiting is expected, then it should be borne in mind that flower buds are laid on last year's increments, therefore, all pruning is done only after flowering ends, in the summer of the current year, or after fruiting, in the spring of next year.
Diseases and pests.
Holly is often affected by the scale insect, mealybug, whitefly. If these pests are found, treat with Aktara or other systemic insecticides. In the dry air of a warm room in winter, the plant is strongly affected by a spider mite, treat it with acaricides and change the wintering conditions, transfer the plant to a cool and very bright place.
Photo: Rita Brillmantova, Tatiana Chechevatova
Holly, or as it is also called Holly, is an ornamental shrub that has recently gained more and more popularity. Such attention of gardeners to the plant is primarily due to the beauty of its foliage, the bright color of the berries, which can be red, yellow, orange, white and even black. Holly's peculiarity lies in the fact that the berries remain on the bush throughout the winter.
Useful properties of paraguayan holly leaves
The dried leaves of the Paraguayan holly have long been used to make a drink called mate. This tea is a traditional drink of Latin Americans. It has a tonic, refreshing, firming and relaxing effect.
The substance matein, which is found in the drink, is an alternative to caffeine. At the same time, it does not cause such reactions of the body as high blood pressure, heart palpitations and nervous tremors. Mate is recommended for use as a remedy that:
- Relieves physical and psychological stress.
- Normalizes blood pressure.
- Saturates the body with essential vitamins and minerals.
- It has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive tract and improves metabolism.
- Improves performance.
- It is an antioxidant and slows down the aging process of body cells.
How to make mate tea
Traditionally, the drink is drunk from special vessels called calabash. They are cut from small pumpkins - mothers. The top of the pumpkin is cut off, the pulp is removed, and then the resulting vessel is well dried. It is believed that calabash retains all the beneficial properties of mate.
Recipe: dry crushed foliage of the Paraguayan holly is poured into the calabash and poured with boiling water. Ready tea is not stirred and is drunk with the help of bombilla - a special tube that retains the tea leaves. After emptying the container, the drink can be brewed 2-3 more times from the remaining infusion, adding hot water to the calabash.
Botanical Description of Holly
Holly (Latin Ilex) is a deciduous or evergreen shrub or tree from the Holly family. The Latin name of the plant means Stone Oak.
Holly flowers are rather nondescript. They are very small and have a light color. Flowers are formed in the spring in the axils of the leaves. Very often, male and female flowers are formed on different trees, and therefore, in order for the plant to bear fruit, it is necessary to plant a male tree next to a female one. The Holly fruit is a stone berry.
Young branches of the Holly are pointed in shape, and the leaf plates are simple alternate, at the ends solid or indented. Holly Hollyleaf leaves have sharp thorns. They are unusually thorny and retain their sharpness for a long time even on fallen old leaves, so the fallen leaves should be removed very carefully so as not to injure your hands.
Holly grows both in tropical forests and in temperate climates - in fir-spruce or cedar-spruce forests.
Application
Holly branches are an ornament used in many European countries. At Christmas, they decorate the premises with their shoots.
Leaves and fruits contain useful substances and are used in folk medicine and cooking.
Landscape design
Hollows are planted in gardens and greenhouses in groups or singly, used as hedges, to create topiary. Hybrid variegated varieties look especially impressive. Dense ornamental crown, perfectly amenable to formation, slow growth, relative unpretentiousness make these plants almost universal.
Tea
Leaves, young shoots and fruits of the common, Paraguayan, Chinese and broad-leaved types of holly contain biologically active substances:
- theobromine, theophylline, caffeine and other alkaloids;
- glycosides;
- organic acids;
- bitterness;
- saponins;
- tannins;
- vitamins.
Bitter kudin tea is prepared from young leaves of Chinese holly. With its help, they strengthen the body, fight overweight, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, poor digestion, and nervous disorders.
Paraguayan holly - raw material for the manufacture of mate
... This drink stimulates the cardiovascular system, brain function, improves mood, invigorates, detoxifies and reduces fatigue, prevents apathy and depression.
The leaves and flowers of broadleaf holly are used in folk medicine for the preparation of diuretics, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hemostatic and bactericidal agents.
Wood
The woody mass of holly is light brown, olive or yellowish in color with a contrasting natural pattern outwardly resembles boxwood. The density is about 570-700 kg / m 3. Biostability and resistance to moisture below average
... The fibers run in different directions, making the wood difficult to handle. However, the material lends itself well to grinding, gluing and painting. Due to its strength and decorative appearance, it is used for the manufacture of small parts, wooden decorations, souvenirs, and design elements.
The genus Holly has approximately 400 species distributed in tropical and temperate regions. Deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees with toothed, thorny, sometimes entire leaves; small, dioecious, axillary flowers and berry-like fruits. Branches, common holly, fixed above the entrance to the dwelling, drove away evil spirits, even before the founding of Rome.
Holly branches have been used by the Baltic, Celtic, Slavic and Scandinavian peoples almost everywhere 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 before sowing for 18 months. Holly does not tolerate a transplant; keeps the shape given by the haircut for a long time. An excellent ornamental shrub for the south.
The value of Holly among different peoples
Holly has been known since ancient times. For example, the druids symbolized this plant with the sun, and on gloomy, rainy days, the ancient Celts brought young Holly branches into the house so that the sun would peep out faster from behind the clouds.
Holly branches also adorned the walls of houses in ancient Rome during the Saturian celebration, which fell in the winter. With the adoption of Christianity, a new holiday appeared - Christmas. And today, in many countries, the branches of the Holly are used to weave a Christmas wreath, they are used to decorate dwellings.
Application and properties
Holly holly in the composition of medicinal products:
- quickly reduces body temperature;
- activates the process of removing fluid from the body;
- has a good anti-inflammatory effect.
Infusions and decoctions of this plant are actively used in the treatment of such diseases:
- bronchitis;
- viral infections;
- rheumatism;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- rhinitis;
- heart disease;
- sleep disorders;
- dropsy.
Common types of Holly
The genus has about 400 species. The most common species used in park and garden culture are as follows.
Holly Holly (Ilex Aquifolium)
Holly Hollyleaf
The plant is evergreen. The tree can grow up to 15 meters in height, forming a dense pyramidal crown. Shoots are short, spreading. The leaf plates are ovoid and have short petioles. The edges of the leaves are wavy, with large spiny thorns. Small white fragrant flowers are kept on short stalks. The fruits are in the shape of a ball, the color is bright red.
Holly Holly belongs to shade-loving, frost-resistant crops. It must be borne in mind that it grows very slowly. The lifespan is 1 century. Has female and male varieties.
Female varieties - Handsworth New Silver, Golden King, Amber. The male form is "Silver Queen".
Holly Crenate (Ilex Crenata)
Holly Creeper
This is a shrub or short tree. Grows up to 3-5 meters. It grows slowly. Keeps haircut for a long time, so it can be used as a low-growing shrub in parks and gardens.
The leaves are shiny, dark green in color. The length of the sheet plates is 10-30 mm, the width is 10-17 mm. The edges of the leaves are serrated, may be prickly. The flowers are dioecious, white, with four petals. The fruit is a drupe.
Holly Altaclerensis (Ilex Аltaclerensis)
Holly Altaklaren
It is a fairly hardy, frost-resistant variety. Refers to evergreen species. Leaves are smooth, without thorns. Perfect for growing in city parks, as it tolerates gas pollution well. Has female and male varieties. The female variety is Belgica Aurea, Wilsonii, and the male variety is Hodginsi.
Holly Whorled (Ilex Verticillata)
Holly whorled
Decoratively attractive appearance. The height of the shrub is 3 meters. It is especially beautiful in winter, when the branches are covered with bright orange drupes. Grows in the shade, prefers moist soil rich in humus. Begins to bear fruit at the age of 16. The fruits ripen in late September - early October.
What is kudin, how and why is it drunk?
Since ancient times, kudin tea has been most popular in the east of China, since the time of the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). In the treatise of that time, "Notes of Mr. Thun," it is mentioned that kudin tea, among other dishes, was supplied to the imperial court. The chronicles of the Ming era contain a record relating to the life of the founder of the Zhu Yuanzhang dynasty, which tells of the emperor's illness with a "palace knot" (intestinal volvulus). A physician named Ling Nanyi prepared an infusion of kudin tea for the emperor, which relieved pain and normalized bowel function. Since then, this tea has received the status of a "beauty product" from the imperial wives.
Growing by cuttings
This method allows you to preserve the decorative forms of the plant. Cuttings are cut from semi-lignified shoots of the current year. Their length is 4-5 cm, while on each cutting there must be 1-2 internodes. Slices are made at an angle: the lower one is under the lower kidney, the upper one is above the upper one.The prepared segments are immediately planted in a container filled with the following substrate: a layer of humus about 10 cm thick, then a layer of sand about 3 cm. The cuttings are placed in the ground to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. The planted cuttings must be protected from the bright sun and sprayed constantly. They take root in 2-4 weeks.
Landing
Plants thrive in fertile, loose, breathable and drained soil. In poor soil, it is necessary to add leaf humus, peat, turf soil and sand in equal parts. Shady and well-sheltered places are perfect for common holly and whorled holly, since they are the most hardy and frost-resistant species. Blue Baron, Blue Maid varieties are able to withstand temperatures down to -28 ° С
... A popular hybrid variety
Ilex
×
meserveae
can only grow in regions where winter temperatures drop at least -15 ° C.
Other species in the middle lane will not survive outdoors. But you can put a thermophilic holly in a container with soil, take it out to the site in summer, and clean it indoors for the winter.
The planting material should be strong, have flexible healthy shoots, live buds and developed roots. The work is carried out at the end of April after the snow has completely melted and the frost has ended.
A seedling hole is dug at least 70 cm in width and depth. Its volume should exceed the size of the earthen coma by 2 times. Drainage is laid out on the bottom, then a layer of soil is poured, the roots are carefully placed, the hole is evenly filled with prepared soil, it is tamped a little. In this case, the neck should be flush with the surface. Immediately after planting, the plants are watered, spending about 15 liters of water per 1 bush.
Holly Care
Caring for a Holly is a lot like caring for a shrub plant. This, of course, is pruning, loosening, mulching the trunk circle, top dressing, and so on.
Pruning, shaping a bush
Since the Holly grows very slowly, it needs pruning to form a compact bush. This procedure must be carried out in the spring. Sick, frozen shoots are removed. Many designers carry out a curly haircut that lasts throughout the season. Holly is a great solution for creating a beautiful topiary.
Shading the plant
In the spring, you need to pay attention to how open and sunny the place where Holly grows is. As noted above, this culture is not light and sun-loving, therefore, if necessary, it will need to be shaded. Otherwise, it will get burned.
Top dressing
Holly should be fed early in the season. To do this, a layer of compost mixed with complex mineral fertilizers is poured around the trunk circle of a bush (tree). With the rains, the fertilizer will gradually be absorbed into the soil and feed the plant's root system.
Plant composition
- Purine alkaloids
- substances that have an exciting effect on the body.
note
: regular consumption of alkaloids in doses exceeding 1000 mg per day can provoke the development of caffeine dependence.
- Rutin
- a substance that has a vaso-strengthening effect, stimulates the adrenal glands, lowers pressure (arterial, intraocular). - Ilicis glycoside
regulates the work of the heart muscle, stabilizes the work of the central nervous system, enhances urination. - Tannins
strengthen blood vessels and capillaries, slow down oxidative processes in the body, cleanse from toxins and toxins. - Organic acids
normalize the digestive system, relieve inflammation, increase the rate of blood clotting. - Resins
help to strengthen the immune system, stimulate the wound healing process. - B vitamins
strengthen the protective functions of the body, activate the work of the pancreas and liver, help relieve mental and physical stress. - Saponins
relieve swelling, strengthen blood vessels, promote the excretion of phlegm. - Chrologenic acid
burns fats, improves digestion. - Caffeine
(in small doses) tones the body, improves memory, increases physical activity. - Choline
regulates the level of insulin in the blood.
Procurement of raw materials
For medicinal purposes, the leaves, bark and young shoots of holly are harvested. Less commonly, berries and roots are used in traditional medicine recipes. Leaves are harvested in spring or early summer. They are dried in the open air under a canopy, spread out in a thin layer on paper.
The leaves of the Paraguayan holly, from which mate is made, are dried with hot air in special dryers at temperatures up to 60 degrees. Dried raw materials are crushed and stored in glass containers. For traditional mate, crushed leaves are used along with natural dust.
The bark and branches of the plant are dried in a well-ventilated, dry place. They are stored in linen bags for about 1 year, and then ground into powder. Raw materials prepared in this way retain all their useful properties.
Did you know about the medicinal properties of holly? Let us know in the comments and share with all your recipes.
Spread
Holly is widely cultivated in Western Europe. Its cultivation in the Russian central lane is somewhat difficult due to the low winter hardiness of young animals. But it can be safely planted in gardens in the Caucasus or on the Black Sea coast. Holly is well suited as a plant with additional cultivation: overexposure in winter cold in cold rooms with low, but positive temperatures. It grows well not only on drained, but in general on any, not too poor, including on moderately dry-moist, humic soils. Moreover, on relatively moist soils, this shrub is more photophilous. When breeding, remember that holly often dies from sunburn.
Fruit
Holly berries ripen in autumn. They winter well on a tree. This plant is one of the most beloved and most expressive symbols of Christmas. In Christianity, holly holly, a photo of which is even in biblical literature, is an expression of suffering. It is symbolized by blood. In general, the plant personifies eternal life and rebirth.
Holly berries were used centuries ago in the treatment of fever and several other diseases. There is evidence that they have repeatedly helped with smallpox epidemics breaking out in Europe.
Traditional healers know that although the fruits and leaves of holly have antipyretic and some other medicinal properties, they must be used with great care. The drugs made from them are very dangerous due to the content of such a highly toxic substance as ilicin.
Only fifteen or twenty berries will be enough for an adult to get severe poisoning after eating them. Although in fairness it should be noted that not very many deaths are known in history. German physicians say that after being poisoned, you need to knock out the "wedge with a wedge": it is enough to rub against the trunk of the first holly bush encountered for almost immediate healing.
Correct planting
Do you live in regions where the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees in winter? Then the plant will not cause any trouble! If severe frosts last almost the entire season, then I advise you to look for more resistant varieties.
It is better to plant holly in spring, immediately after the snow melts. The shrub is not picky about the soil, it grows well on loam, it is possible, prepare a light nutritious soil. What does this include? Mix in equal parts:
- peat crumb;
- river sand;
- humus;
- compost;
- leafy soil.
A little wood ash and a handful of lime will do the trick. That's it, the substrate for planting a wonderful bush is ready, it remains to choose a suitable place.
Holly loves light shade and lack of groundwater. If groundwater threatens the safety of your handsome man, put a thick drainage (broken slate or brick). After planting, water the bush abundantly and mulch with compost or humus.This is enough not to feed the plant, but the organic matter will have to be refreshed periodically.
"Magic force
Holly (or ordinary) people paid attention to holly long before the advent of Christianity. The inhabitants of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, where this shrub grows wildly, has deified it since antiquity, endowing it with magical powers.
This vigorous plant can survive even in deep forest shade, where not a single seed will sprout. It enters the peak of its decorative effect in late autumn and survives the winter as an evergreen, decorated with leaves and fruits, armed with its blood-red poisonous berries that give protection to people.
It was believed that a magic wand could be made of it, and a spear with a shaft made of its wood would bring an unconditional victory over evil forces. And today there is still a belief that a bountiful harvest of holly fruits is a harbinger of a harsh winter.
Holly Holly in Landscaping
This beautiful plant finds excellent use, like other shrubs in the natural garden. It provides food for the birds in winter thanks to its fruits, which remain on the branches until the beginning of the next flowering. And it is thanks to the birds that the holly reproduces in the wild: by eating berries, they carry the seeds contained in them almost everywhere.
Gardeners know that the young shoots of this plant are the most intrusive weeds. Holly holly lends itself well to curly haircuts. Therefore, designers very often use it to get beautiful topiary. Bonsai lovers also love to work with this shrub.
Winter preparations
Holly mild winters are not terrible. However, the constant presence of too low a temperature can negatively affect development. To prevent the plant from dying, it is necessary to protect the tree by covering it with peat and sawdust. Spruce branches and fallen leaves will be an excellent "coverlet".
Many amateur gardeners grow Holly in containers, which are brought indoors closer to winter. The main thing is not to overdo it, since too high a temperature in winter has a bad effect on the development of the plant. The place should be cool.
Synonyms
According to The Plant List [4]
- Ilex crenata
var.
aureovariegata
Goldring - Ilex crenatabullata
Rehder - Ilex crenata
f.
helleri
(Craig) Rehder - Ilex crenata
var.
helleri
(Craig) L.H. Bailey - Ilex crenata
var.
latifolia
Goldring - Ilex crenata
f.
latifolia
(Goldring) Rehder - Ilex crenata
var.
longifolia
Goldring - Ilex crenata
f.
longifolia
(Goldring) Rehder - Ilex crenata
f.
longipedunculata
S.Y. Hu - Ilex crenata
var.
luteovariegata
Regel - Ilex crenata
f.
luteovariegata
(Regel) Rehder - Ilex crenata
var.
mariesii
Bean ex Dallim. - Ilex crenata
f.
microphylla
Rehder - Ilex crenata
var.
multicrenata
C.J. Tseng - Ilex crenata
f.
multicrenata
(C.J. Tseng) S.K. Chen - Ilex crenata
var.
nummularia
Yatabe - Ilex crenata
f.
nummularia
(Yatabe) H. Hara - Ilex crenata
f.
variegata
G. Nicholson - Ilex crenata
var.
variegata
(G. Nicholson) Dallim. - Ilex euryifolia
K. Mori & Yamam. - Ilex helleri
Craig
Popular varieties of holly in landscape design photos
Holly is an excellent choice for formation: dwarf varieties of short stature have excellent decorative properties, grow slowly and tolerate a haircut painlessly.
Variegated yellow-fruited holly cultivar Argentea Marginata Argentea Marginata photo
Variegated varieties are very popular, characterized by the presence of a light border along the edge of the leaves. The plants look very elegant, and the yellow berries are unusual.
Holly variegata Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Milkmaid’ photo
Silver Milkmaid has a very unusual twisted leaf shape. The color is dark green with strokes of bright yellow looks fantastic.
Holly 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.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Handsworth New Silver’ photo
The holly variety of holly handswos new silver is very popular - it has almost no thorns, the leaves are slightly elongated. The variety is variegated: the edges of the leaves are milky white, but the berries have retained a bright scarlet color. Thanks to such contrasts, the variety is very decorative.
The golden king variety Ilex x altaclerensis golden king will become an original decoration of the garden and square. Unusual wide leaves with small denticles, a yellow wide border around the edge. Rare bright scarlet fruits, like beads, are scattered on the branches.
Holly Mezerva ‘Blue Princess’ photo
Mezerv hybrids have good frost resistance, thanks to which they are loved by the inhabitants of the middle lane and the Moscow region.
Family:
holly (Aquifoliáceae).
Homeland
Holly (holly) is distributed almost all over the world, in temperate and tropical regions.
The form:
evergreen or deciduous shrub or tree.
Description
The genus has about 400 species. Holly (holly) is an evergreen or deciduous tree or shrub with highly decorative foliage and berries. Holly leaves are leathery, dense, dark green, toothed, less often whole-edged. Holly berries are red, yellow, white, black or orange; ripen in autumn and remain on the plant even under snow. Holly flowers are dioecious; to obtain fruit, male and female specimens must be planted. Holly cut well.
Holly
, or holly
(I. aquifolium). Large, slow-growing, domed shrub or small conical tree from 2 to 10 m in height and up to 4 m in width with slightly curved shoots. The lower shoots of holly or common holly hang down, often lie on the ground and sometimes take root. Upper shoots of holly or common holly are spread or erect. Leaves are evergreen, oval or narrow ovate, shiny, dense, dark green; the edges of the leaves of young plants have sharp thorns. Holly fruits are pea-sized, shiny, red, numerous, decorative, poisonous. The root system of the common holly is deep and wide. Holly is not hardy. In nature, the plant is widespread in central Europe.
Holly crenate
(I. crenata). Asymmetric, upright shrub, medium size, different in shape. Height - 2-3 m, width - 1-2 m. Crenate holly grows slowly. The leaves are evergreen, small, oblong-ovate, entire, dark green. It does not bloom in early July every year. Fruits are small, black berries up to 6 mm in diameter are not decorative. In winter, the crenate holly is unstable.
Holly Mezerva
(I. x meserveae). A hybrid of the European common holly and the Korean wrinkled holly. A shrub that varies greatly (depending on the variety) in appearance. Holly Mezerva leaves are evergreen, oval or narrow ovate, when blooming, bronze-green, then shiny, dark green, in winter they are often black or crimson-green, dense, leathery, soft, with mild spines. The flowers are numerous, white, with a light aroma, bloom in May. The fruits of the holly Mezerva are numerous, poisonous, the size of a pea or larger, shiny, bright red, stay on the plant for a long time, are few in the shade. Holly Mezerva has a number of interesting varieties that are valued, among other things, for their high frost resistance.
(I. verticillata). Deciduous, very decorative holly species. The branches of the whorled holly are covered with numerous orange fruits, which remain on the plant throughout the winter. The whorled holly is the most winter-hardy of all plant species. His homeland is northeastern North America.
Holly wrinkled
(I. rugosa). Evergreen, low or creeping, non-hardy shrub up to 0.4 m in height. The wrinkled holly is not found in landscaping. It occurs naturally in mixed forests in the Far East, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, 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 the Colchis holly are leathery, toothed, prickly, very dark, green, the underside of the leaves is lighter. The plant freezes to the snow cover, but quickly recovers. The homeland of the Colchis holly is the Transcaucasus and Asia Minor.
Growing conditions
Hollows are shade-tolerant and moisture-loving, they do not tolerate drought and high temperatures, they like 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, grows poorly on heavy soils, loses winter hardiness.
Application
Evergreen holly (holly) are highly decorative plants that are very popular with gardeners. Holly plants are best planted in groups. Plants are used to create. Shaped holly are perfect for French (regular) style gardens. It is worth noting that holly, or holly, due to its dark green jagged leaves and bright red fruits, are very popular in Europe as Christmas plants from which festive wreaths, garlands, and various decorations are made.
Care
Hollows are hygrophilous, so in dry, hot seasons 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. Variegated holly varieties can grow branches with normal green leaves, so they need to be removed periodically.
Reproduction
Holly reproduces vegetatively - and. It is better to plant holly in early spring, adult plants do not like transplanting.
Diseases and pests
Holly is a resistant plant; under favorable conditions, the holly is not affected by diseases. A possible disease is late blight.
Popular varieties
Holly varieties Mezerva
- ‘Blue Angel’.
Small compact dense upright shrub from 1.2 to 1.5 m in height and up to 2 m in width. In winter, the leaves turn almost black. The fruits are red, poisonous. It grows slowly.
‘Blue Prince’
... Small or large, compact, conical shrub 2 to 4 m in height and 1 to 3 m in width. Leaves are almost black in winter. 'Blue Prince' is a male-only cultivar and therefore does not produce fruit (and is an important pollinator for other species).
‘Blue Princess’
... Small or large shrub 2 to 5 m in height and 2 to 3 m in width; openwork, conical, or broadly upright. Leaves are almost black in winter; fruits are light red, very poisonous. It grows slowly. Represented by female species.
Other varieties of holly Meserva ‘Blue Maid’, ‘Golden Princess’
.
On the vast territory of the largest continent - Eurasia - more fully than on others, one can notice the manifestation of the planetary law of geographic landscape zoning. Despite the fact that the border between Europe and Asia is quite long, the formation of their soil cover proceeded unevenly. That is why the flora of Eurasia is so diverse. There are so many different plants that it is difficult to count. The names of the ornamental trees and fruit crops of the continent are so numerous that they make up weighty volumes. We will look at just one rather interesting plant.
Photos and names of holly varieties
There are many varieties of this representative of the Eurasian flora. For example, the crenate, also called Japanese, subspecies is an evergreen plant, the height of which reaches only two and a half meters. It has small and rounded leaves.
Another cultivar, holly meserva, is a hybrid of many cultivars with very dark bluish green leaves. The purely male Blui Prince is considered an excellent pollinator for its brethren. Golden and Blue Princesses are also gay. Some varieties, including Blue Meid, have both female and male flowers on the same plant. They have the usual green foliage, not as spectacular as, for example, the Blue Angel, as it lacks the characteristic metallic sheen.
Most varieties have red fruits, although some, like the Golden Princess, have yellow fruits.
Many people think that holly are only evergreen, but this is not the case. The family of the same name also has deciduous subspecies. The externally decorative whorled holly is especially interesting. It is native to the northeastern regions of North America. It gets along well with other hardwoods. You can only meet whorled holly on wet soils, for example, in swamps or along the banks of streams.
Ilex aquifolia
This is how the most common variety is called in Latin - holly.It is prized for the sheen of the leathery leaves - dark green or bi-colored - as well as the brightness of the eye-catching fruits of red or yellow, white or black, and even orange.
Holly holly (or ordinary) outwardly looks like a real one.It reaches a height of up to nine, and a width of up to six meters. It has a conical (and in adult specimens it is slightly rounded at the top) shape. Small white and strongly fragrant flowers appear in June or July, depending on the region. They only stay on the branches for two weeks. Then they are replaced by bright red seed fruits from berries, reaching up to half a centimeter in size. It is the holly - the plant on the basis of which many varieties were bred.
Propagation by cuttings
You can propagate holly using seeds or cuttings. The most common is cuttings, since the first option is very long. To do everything correctly, you should know the main features of this procedure.
Cuttings are cut first. To do this, use a well-sharpened knife to cause as little damage as possible to the tree. The length of each cutting is about 5 cm, it should have 1-2 internodes. Initially, the finished cuttings are planted in the greenhouse. They are planted at a shallow depth of about 2 cm, then they are sprayed using clean water. It is necessary to maintain a constant temperature in the greenhouse. It is not necessary to allow the sun's rays to fall on the plants.
Propagation by cuttings and layering
For propagation of holly, layers or cuttings are most often used. This method is faster and more efficient than seed propagation. The stages of propagation by cuttings are as follows:
- For planting, choose annual shoots that did not have time to woody and cut the cuttings 10-12 cm long.
- All leaves are removed on the lower third of the cutting.
- The tips of the shoots are dipped into the rooting solution and placed in a container with water until the roots appear.
- You can use special rooting cups. You need to keep the seedlings on the windowsill in a shaded place.
With proper care, the seedlings will be obtained in 2-3 months. Cuttings that have germinated in water are additionally planted in pots with soil. It will be possible to plant young plants in open ground only next spring. During the warm season, young bushes have time to ripen and grow powerful roots. However, for the winter they must be sprinkled with peat and covered with spruce branches.
If holly is already growing on the site, it can be propagated using layering. To do this, the branches are tilted and lightly sprinkled with earth. The procedure for such reproduction will be as follows:
- The leaves on the shoot are removed, after which it can be fixed with metal brackets and sprinkled with soil.
- After 2-3 months, the cuttings will take root and begin to form new shoots.
- Such a seedling is left to grow throughout the year. The next spring, the shoot is separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a new place.
Reproduction by seeds in the natural habitat of the holly takes 1.5 years. On the garden plot, you can wait 2-3 years for seedlings to appear. Since the plant is dioecious, it needs artificial pollination.
Growing figs at home
Contraindications
Holly contains alkaloids, which are also poisonous. It is recommended to consult a specialist before starting any treatment. It is not recommended for certain categories of people to use holly for medicinal purposes.
Holly berries are weakly poisonous, so they are used only in cases of extreme necessity. In the presence of pronounced symptoms of poisoning, therapy should be stopped immediately, gastric lavage should be performed and medical attention should be sought.
Some species of this plant are poisonous, so the use of such raw materials for medicinal purposes is contraindicated. These include:
- pregnant women;
- children and the elderly;
- patients with individual intolerance.
How to get colored holly berries
Plants have a separate gender, so to get colored berries, you need to buy a female plant: do this between February and October when red berries are visible. Also consider the size and shape of the foliage and leaves, which should be large, numerous, dense and shiny.
The vegetation must be compact. These are all characteristics of healthy, well-nourished plants that can take root successfully.
This species is dioecious, which means that if you want to get berries, you must also grow a male for every 10-12 female plants. However, this is not the rule, as there are some self-pollinating varieties.
In the garden
From a practical point of view, holly (or common holly) is of interest as a wind-shelter plantation, well suited for landing on the sea coast due to its high resistance to salt. In addition, it produces a very reliable, unusually thorny holly leaves on close-planted plants - a reliable guard of the garden from unwanted visitors. And decorative compositions made from this holly for Christmas or New Year make this culture even more attractive.
American red oak
It grows in the eastern United States in deciduous forests. The height of the tree reaches 18 - 25 m. It occupies 36% of all broadleaf trees that are used in industry. Serves for the production of furniture, parquet, interior decoration, doors, kitchen cabinets, drawers. American oak bark is rich in tannin. It lends itself well to machine processing, polishing and painting, but it takes a long time to dry. The wood is resistant to wear and tear.
Natural varieties
- Ilex crenata
f.
convexa
(Makino) Rehder Syn .:
Ilex crenata
var.
convexa
Makino - Ilex crenata
f.
crenata
Syn .:
Ilex crenata
f.
genuina
Loes .;
Ilex crenata
f.
kusnetzoffii
Loes .;
Ilex elliptica
Siebold ex Miq. - Ilex crenata
var.
thomsonii
(Hook.f.) Loes. Syn .:
Ilex thomsonii
Hook.f.
Red oak acorns
The fruits of the red oak are acorns. They are collected at the end of September under strong oak trees to obtain healthy offspring. They are planted in forest, loose, moist soil. It is believed that it is better to plant acorns at the end of autumn, or to collect already sprouted fruits in the spring. When planting in spring, the risk of freezing of acorns and young seedlings is eliminated. The acorn is covered with earth with a layer of several millimeters.
At home, it is difficult to keep acorns alive until spring. It is important for this to provide them with optimal conditions. With high humidity, they grow moldy, with excessive dryness they dry out, at high temperatures they begin to germinate, at low temperatures they die. The optimum temperature for storing acorns is +1, +3 degrees, humidity 85%. Sick and moldy acorns are removed from healthy ones. You can store acorns in a closet or cellar in paper wrapping or a net.
