Holly

Sanagia

Holly is a special plant with bright red berries and shiny green leaves. It looks especially beautiful during the winter!

Habitat: Woodlands and gardens

Appearance

The Holly has shiny, leathery dark green leaves, often with sharp, spiky edges. In winter, it displays bright red, round berries that stand out vividly against the green foliage, making it easily recognizable even in the snow.

KingdomPlantaePhylumChordataClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAquifolialesFamilyAquifoliaceaeGenusIlex

Holly

Interesting facts

Ancient cultures believed holly could ward off evil spirits and lightning strikes!

Holly wood is very dense and fine-grained, sometimes used for chess pieces or piano keys.

Male and female holly flowers grow on separate plants, so only female plants get berries.

Some older holly trees can live for an amazing 300 years or even longer!

Special abilities

Holly has sharp, spiky leaves that protect it from hungry animals wanting to nibble on its foliage.

Its bright red berries ripen in autumn and provide a crucial food source for birds during the cold winter months.

Holly keeps its leaves all year, allowing it to photosynthesize and make food even when other trees are bare.

Measurements & details

Height: 200-1000 cm
Spread: 100-500 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Moderate
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Blackbird

Turdus merula

Eats its berries for winter food.

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits its small flowers for nectar and pollen.

eats

Holly Leaf Miner

Phytomyza ilicis

Larvae tunnel within its leaves.

Traits

Ornamental

These lovely plants are grown simply because they are so beautiful to look at, adding splashes of color and interesting shapes to any garden or landscape.

Winter Interest

Discover plants that shine even when everything else is covered in snow! These special plants bring beauty, color, or texture to the garden during the colder months.

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Shrub

These amazing plants are like nature's bushy sculptures, having woody stems that branch out from the ground to create a lovely, full shape.

Evergreen

These wonderful plants keep their leaves or needles all year round, providing beautiful green scenery even in the chilliest months. They stay green forever!

Fruit Bearing

These amazing plants develop fruits, which often contain seeds and are sometimes delicious treats for us or wildlife. They're nature's way of spreading new life!