LADYBUG... WITH LANDSCAPE HOLLIES, ONE HAS ENOUGH FOR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

We sing "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly" and now following that Christmas carol more and more holly is being used in decorations. Holly stays green throughout the winter and is a logical choice for Christmas decorations.

Ancient people believed its greenness was a promise that the sun would return to the earth for another year, and because it bore fruit in winter, it was a symbol of immortality to them.

Some people believe that the word "holly" is a form of "holy" but many do not believe that this is the true derivation. The misconception may have started because of the association of these greens with Christmas and the early Christians did refer to it as the Christ-thorn.

There are many legends and superstitions concerning holly. The Druids of ancient Briton believed that evergreen leaves meant the sun never deserted it and that it was sacred. From time immemorial, it has been a symbol of peace, good will and good fortune.

In early times holly was hung over doorways, windows and fireplaces to repel witches. Christians proclaimed that holly first sprang up under the footsteps of Christ, the thorny leaves and red berries repenting His suffering.

According to another legend, before the birth of Christ, holly berries were white. At the time of His crucifixion His cross was made of holly wood and the crown placed about His head was made of holly branches. The sharp, pointed, dark-green leaves pierced His flesh and the white berries were stained crimson by the Lord's blood.

To this day holly is associated with the celebration of Christmas, and red and green are the colors we most identify with this Holy Day. Have you ever wondered why we use predominately red and green at Christmas?

Medieval English physicians thought holly berries could cure colic, but patients who followed their doctors' orders sometimes died from the results of eating the berries. However, holly leaves are harmless when roasted and brewed for tea. The brew was often drunk by South American Indians, who thought it gave them super strength.

According to another legend, when Christ was bearing His cross, a small bird tried to ease His suffering by plucking thorns from His brow. The bird's breast became stained with blood, and became known as the Robin Redbreast. As a result, it is considered unlucky to step on a holly berry, a favorite food of the robin and payment for its charitable act.

Even though in today's world we do not adhere to these superstitions, holly is still one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations. Nearly two dozen species of hollies are found in the United States, including the best known, the deciduous American holly.

With the introductions of landscape hollies which are cold hardy, we can often supply enough for our own decorations. New ones include, Blue Boy, Blue Girl, China Boy, China Girl, Wayside Christmas Tree, and Winter Red.

Like other varieties, American holly trees are single sexed. Only the female plants produce the scarlet berries, and not until they are about eight years old. The berries are food for mockingbirds, thrushes, robins, bluebirds and many small animals.

Most holly sold for Christmas decorations is English holly. Some home owners are fortunate to have holly in the landscape which can be cut for their home use. Grown are Chinese or cornuta holly, and its close relative Burford holly. There is a low growing Heller's holly and a new introduction of Love hollies, sold in pairs and potted.

In earlier times homes were cooler and hollies lasted well when brought inside. In our warm homes with relatively low humidity in winter, holly dries rapidly.

Freshly cut holly should be allowed to warm slowly before being brought into warm homes. This is most important if outdoor temperatures are below freezing when it is cut.

Both freshly cut holly or packaged holly which is purchased, should be placed in a tub or bucket of deep water for several hours in a cool room before being arranged.

One reference suggest to one quart of hot water, add 1 cup of white Karo syrup and 1 teaspoon of Chlorox. Cut off ends of stems before placing into the water. The use of a preservative will also extend the life of holly foliage.

If you do not have holly plants now, consider adding some to the landscape next spring.