The rather easy-care holly grows slowly. Its evergreen branches with bright red berries are popular Christmas decorations in many countries. The fruits are also popular winter food for birds, but the berries are poisonous for humans.

The care of the holly is not complex

Plant the holly

The holly prefers a light location, either in the sun or in light semi-shade. The soil should be humus and not too dry. The Ilex tolerates neither calcareous soil nor waterlogging particularly well. The best planting times are spring or autumn. Older holly trees are reluctant to be transplanted.

Water and fertilize the holly

Keep the soil for your holly evenly moist, a layer of mulch can help with this. This is very useful, especially in summer, because the soil should never dry out completely. Without a layer of mulch, you will need to water a little more frequently. You don't have to fertilize your holly, but you can give it a little compost every now and then.

The Propagation of Holly

You don't actually have to worry about the propagation of your Ilex. The berries are an excellent food source for native birds. Bird droppings will disperse the seeds from the fruit throughout your garden. So all you need is patience, because the seeds will take a long time to germinate. Alternatively, you can also multiply the Ilex with cuttings or sinkers.

The holly in winter

The European holly is relatively hardy, after all it also grows wild in the woods. Their berries are an important food source for the local birds in winter. However, they are poisonous to many other animals. Even two or three berries can be lethal to small animals.

The essentials in brief:

  • as bright a location as possible
  • no waterlogging and soil with as little lime as possible
  • easy-care
  • hardy
  • Propagation by birds, cuttings or sinkers
  • berries poisonous to humans
  • Twigs are coveted Christmas ornaments
  • important food source for native birds

tips

Don't get holly from the woods, even if they seem to grow profusely there. The European holly is one of the protected plants!

Category:

Vegetable garden