Holly (Ilex) Discussions

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if there are any Holly fanatics/experts/novices, who would like to share experiences, joys, disappointments, etc about Hollies?

I have always liked Holly but am now in a horticulture program at my local college here and am fascinated by the number of species in the Ilex genus. I want to learn all I can about them and have started trying some propogation and ordered a book on them. I also hope to join the American Holly Society.

Thanks,
Susan

Oh, there's more than a few of us loitering about the premises...

In fact, I'm fresh off spending a week with the most fanatic - the annual meeting of the Holly Society of America. The current president is from your neck of the woods, too. That would be a good first contact to make.

There are plenty of species and hybrids in Ilex, enough to make even the most seasoned holly pyrene's head spin. North Carolina is not a bad place to get your feet wet, or thrown in the deep end - your choice.

The late Fred Galle's book Hollies: The Genus Ilex is the one to get, if you haven't already. Quite the tome, it is nothing if not the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Go get 'em, Susan. Hope to see you at the 2010 annual HSA meeting in Knoxville...

Oh wow, what a welcome! Thank you. Ok I was just in MA a couple weeks ago and then I find the AHS and see that the annual meeting was going to be in MA, ARRGHHH! Well I just joined tonight and yes, I have ordered Hollies: The Genus Ilex about 4 days ago and I can't wait to get it!!!! I also found Dr Elwin Orton while searching online and am trying to get some of his publications.

I actually am moving back to MA where I am originally from, sometime in the Spring. So I will be raising and hopefully selling hollies in MA. I plant to have a greenhouse business and want to specialize in Hollies. I adore them! They are the most awesome creation! I am really excited about propogating. The school I am taking the horticulture program at has many different varieites and I can get all the cuttings I want off of them, so my little 8x12 greenhouse will be filled with them this Winter.

So, tell me all about the meeting, I want to hear everything!

Thanks so much,
Susan

Maybe, but not tonight. Past my bedtime already.

But...a few morsels wouldn't hurt. Look up Bill Cannon in Brewster - pretty much everyone knows him - and you'll find a treasure trove to keep going back to. Additionally, Vineyard Gardens (out on the Vineyard) will be another fine source of plants and MA holly knowledge. The Wileys are upstanding folks.

There's doubtless much more to tap into for northeastern success in all things Ilex...here's a nibble:

Is Bill Cannon on DG? I will look up Vineyard Gardens on the net. Thank you for the info.

Susan

I doubt that Bill is a DGer, but he has got hollies to beat the band. Long time HSA member, recent past president, and generous to a fault.

Enjoy - and let me know what else I can assist with.

Vib, sleep well! I too will look forward to the Vineyard Holly saga. Patti

I found Bill Cannon through a 2004 news article on the web. I will try and contact him. I wish I was going to be up in MA again soon so I could visit his place, but i am not sure when I will be up there again.

Thanks for the info.

He and his holly harem will be hale and hardy...

I'm a holly novice. Haven't reached the passionate level yet but I'm enjoying the ones I have.

One is a little bush (Blue Girl) that's been planted three times. Plant did okay in the first two sites but didn't really thrive. The last location (filtered light most of the day vs. part sun/part shade) is agreeing with it nicely. This summer I added a Sky Pencil Holly. Selection based on the enthusiasm noted in various DG threads. It seems to have taken the planting well. No visible signs of stress. Not enough time to know how I like it, how it likes it here or the best care for it.

Not worried about summer so much as winter care. Google searches haven't uncovered much more than general care so am going to proceed on the guess that there are no special winter concerns. Can adapt on the fly if a need arises. Tree is on north side of house and protected from most of the winter winds. Some winters we get a lot of snow but am hoping that won't be snow a huge concern. As you can see, this holly and I are still learning about each other. :)

You asked for novice experiences in initial post. Sorry if what I've posted isn't what you were after.

~Sharon
PS: I think it's really cool that you're so passionate about hollies. Good luck with your holly pursuits!

Hi Sharon,

I loooove Sky Pencil, we have learned alot about it in my horticulture class. I think it is good to zone 6? What zone are you?

'Sky Pencil' is a cultivar of Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) which as a group are hardy to Zone 5 or 6, depending on the cultivar. I have used them for clients over the past few years and they seem to be doing fine. I planted one for myself last spring. We've had pretty mild winters, so the real test will be when we get a normal one! They like well-drained, slightly acid soils, so be sure to add lots of peat moss and mulch well. Sun or shade is fine with 'Sky Pencil', but they will probably benefit from afternoon shade and protection from cold winter winds. Since the local wholesale nurseries sell them, I think they are expected to be hardy into Zone 5.

susandbob, I'm zone 5. Most info I've read on the net says hardy to zone 6. But a few sources, the local nursery and the plant's tag list this one good to zone 5. That borderline business is the reason I've been thinking twice about winter care.

HoosierGreen, thanks for the info about peat and mulch. It's next to an oak leaf hydrangea so both will benefit. Heh, two birds with one stone and all that. :) No problem with drainage. On a hill. Decent topsoil; sand and sand/soil about 18" down. Have built some little ridges artificially (edgings, walls, etc) to slow water down; gives the plants a chance to drink before the sand or hill whisks it away.

Had a small area on corner of small house that needed height. It was nice to be able to add something that would stay green all year in that spot. Sky Pencil sure seems to fit the bill. :)

Thanks again!
~Sharon

For extra winter protection, you could make a "surround" or "cage" of stakes and burlap, and /or use an anti-desiccant spray on the foliage. Also, since you planted it in the summer, it's probably rooted in well, but be sure it's watered and mulched well going into the winter. Good luck!

Thanks again, HG. I think I'll pick up some anti-dessicant. Normally, I don't like to pamper plants. I give them the best environment I can for their type. Other than basic maintenance (water, feeding, mulching, pruning dead and diseased) I like to leave the rest up to them. However in this case, the tree is in the front yard and would like it to appear its best. And give it a chance to offer up its own efforts at looking good. Our cycles of spring thaws and freezes can be tough on some plants. An early winter and early spring application (around February or March) of anti-dessicant should keep that holly looking good.

~Sharon

what is anti-dessicant?

Anti-dessicant: an application of material that reduces the moisture loss through leaf surfaces during winter drying weather.

There are differences of opinion on whether use of this material provides a measurable value, or not, out in the landscape.

I agree with ViburnumValley about the differences of opinion on anti-desiccant. I think some people have poor results using it because it doesn't usually last all winter, three months or more. It has to be reapplied at a time when most gardeners are keeping warm inside! Probably a burlap screen would work as well, or better.

Also, these measures are most helpful for the first winter following planting, when the plant is getting established. I find that plant mortality is much less likely after a whole year has passed.

The focus narrowed into the discussion of 'Sky Pencil' in Illinois. Let's broaden it back to all things Ilex.

Some things you can do with cuttings after the Sprig Contest wraps up...

V.V. Stunning display and it still is! I left them on Weds and they still look festive and fresh. I am amazed at the huge selection you left behind. Thanks again. Patti

Most of that color is from a few winterberries, Ilex verticillata and allies.

Most people don't know that cut branches of winterberry can hold fruit (when dry - not in water) for a couple years. The beauty is exceptional for several months, and then the fruit will dry and get somewhat darker but will remain attached and colorful. There's a keeper.

Among the many selections, 'Winter Red', 'Oosterwijk', and 'Maryland Beauty' are favored by florists for fine fruit retention without shattering.

Here's a young 'Oosterwijk' stem...

...and a closeup of 'Oosterwijk' fruit.

Wow, those pics are awesome!

I spoke with Mr. Cannon a few days ago, from Brewster, MA and I am hoping to get to MA for Thanksgiving. If I can make the trip I am planning on visiting his farm sometime while I am in MA.

Thanks and I hope this discussion continues. I got quite a few cuttings from the school campus where I am in a horticulture program and have poted them up in 3" pots hoping to get some rooted. I got American Holly, Nellie R. Stevens, Crenata Compacta, Winterberry, Softtouch, China Girl, and one more that I cannot remember. I took good tip cuts, used rooting hormone, put them in miracle gro potting soil and have them on a heat mat for some bottom heat.
Pretty good for someone who doesn't have a clue about serious propogation,huh? I take that class in January. :)

Susan

Here's a winter arrangement on the deck off our master bedroom, a view we hope to enjoy all winter. 'Red Sprite' holly is so handsome. If you look closely, you might see the black bird netting like a hairnet on the holly. The birds would have de-berried it by now if I didn't cover it!

This message was edited Nov 8, 2009 6:37 PM

Viburnum,
I met Bill Cannon this past Friday while up in MA for Thanksgiving. He was awesome! It was a blustery wind blowing rain pelting day and he walked my husband and sister and I around his garden for an hour showing us every holly he has. What a wonderful man to know. Then we went into his greenhouses and he showed me how he is propagating and send me home with three one gallons that he propagated last year. I got a Sky Pencil a Chinese Boxwood and a holly named Sceptor. It is so exciting to know hima nd I can't wait to move to MA and visit with him again. Thank you so much for leading me to him.

Susan

I just found this thread on hollies. I only have one holly in my yard and I'm trying to find out its name. I wonder if someone could tell me by this description what kind it is. The leaves are quite shiny and pointy, it had yellow flowers in April and then produced blue berries this past month which have all dried by now.
The photo was taken 4-19 from an indoor flower arrangement.
It's a very strong and healthy plant and I'm beginnning to appreciate its virtues. The berries were as big as blueberries and looked good enough to eat.

Looks like a mahonia. Not a true holly, but leaves have holly-like shape.

Yes, Mahonia bealei is likely the plant in that image.

inaraesgarden, I answered on your other ID thread.

You garden in a part of the world where many hollies (Ilex spp.) will thrive. I hope you are able to aggregate a few for yours (and the birds) enjoyment.