December Plant of the Month; Holly

Plant of the Month Holly

Holly is our plant for December

 Holly is one of our few native, evergreen shrubs. The attractive combination of the bright red berries and waxy, dark green leaves of the holly tree are a familiar sight in Kilteevan’s winter hedgerows. Holly is shade-tolerant and grows naturally and well in Kilteevan.

The association between holly and Christmas is now inescapable. It has been used as a Christmas decoration for many generations but it is very important in our hedgerows for many other reasons.

Native Holly trees are either male or female- Both sexes bear small creamy white, four-petalled flowers (6-10mm) in clusters from May to July.  Only the female can bear berries.

The Holly flower

People don’t often notice the pretty Holly flower. Below an image taken in Kilteevan in summertime.

Holly: a valuable source of food and shelter and biodiversity

The familiar bright scarlet berries which appear in late Autumn is a popular food source for many birds as the colder weather sets in. Thrushes in particular throng to fruiting holly trees in early winter and can strip the berries in no time once a tree has been discovered.

Birds favour the protection offered by the dense foliage of a holly tree when they come to build their nests in spring. Blackbirds in particular seem to be drawn to holly when choosing a nest site.

The Holly Blue, a delightful little butterfly, relies on Holly as a food plant for its caterpillars. In spring this tiny blue butterfly lays its eggs on the flowers of the holly tree, on which the caterpillars feed.

Holly also provides refuge for wildlife throughout the year. As it is evergreen the prickly foliage provides shelter for birds and animals right through the winter. Fallen leaves gather underneath holly trees, and because of their hardy nature they take years to rot , providing a plentiful supply of protective nesting material for mammals such as hedgehogs – the prickly leaves are enough to dissuade many would be predators.

Mythology and Modern Science

In European mythology holly was associated with thunder gods such as 1^st   century Thor, Norse God of thunder.   Holly trees were traditionally seen as protection from lightning strikes and so were planted near houses.

Now science tells us that the spines on Holly leaves may act as miniature lightning conductors!

Its prickly, evergreen leaves and its long-lasting berries were the source of much superstition in years gone by.  People used to associate the tree with eternity and the power to ward off evil .Doors and windows were decorated with holly to ward off evil spirits.

Holly Wood-Did you know?

Holly wood is white, hard and dense and is often used for carving and inlay work.

It has been stained black and used as a substitute for ebony in piano making it is used for the white pieces in the game of chess. Mathematical instruments, knife handles and coffins were all once made of holly.

Happy Christmas  and please notice and enjoy our Holly trees as you walk and cycle around Kilteevan. Watch out for the flowers from May to July 2016.

 We hope this section of our website will have exciting obsevations to note and report through 2016.

Wishing you Happy Nature Filled New Year .