More than a decade ago, Eugene Paschall found some holly growing wild in the Rocky Mountains. He brought home a cutting, figuring a plant that endures the bitter cold of the mountains would survive Chicago`s winters.
He was right. Those yellow-berried hollies still creep along the ground at his Palos Heights home, but they`ve been joined through the years by several other kinds of holly. To deck his halls, Paschall has only to walk outdoors and shear some boughs off about eight holly plants that look just like traditional Christmas holly, with glossy green leaves and bright red berries.
The ancient Romans gave holly branches as symbols of friendship. South American Indians believed holly was a blessed plant that would scare off evil spirits, according to the Holly Society of America, an 800-member group of holly growing enthusiasts. Holly also has some religious connotations. Folklore has it that holly was woven into the crown of thorns at the Crucifixion of Jesus, and that the once-white berries turned red with his blood.
Over the years, holly has become a traditional household decoration during the holidays. Holly can be purchased in bunches or by the stem from florists. What we`re most likely buying is traditional English holly, grown in quantity in the Pacific Northwest, or American holly, which thrives in the southeastern U.S.
Although the Midwest is not considered the ideal climate for American holly, Paschall says his old Heavyberry variety has been thriving for about eight years, and the Morton Arboretum in Lisle and Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe also grow some. But American holly requires a more temperate climate, protection from strong winter winds and plenty of maintenance.
Other kinds of holly, however, are highly recommended for Midwest yards. With a little planning now, gardeners can be cutting their own boughs of holly in Christmases to come. But be aware that the berries are toxic to humans and can cause vomiting and diarrhea, particularly in small children.
Home gardeners probably will have the best luck with holly known as Meserve hybrids, named after a Long Island woman who crossed traditional English holly with a berryless but very hardy type. The result was a holly with bluish-green leaves that could withstand temperatures as cold as 20 degrees below zero.
Also called the ``blue hollies,`` these hardy shrubs can grow up to 4 or 5 feet tall in five to seven years, said Gary Knosher, marketing manager for Midwest Ground Covers in St. Charles, a wholesale and retail nursery. Varieties recommended for the Chicago area include Blue Princess and Blue Prince, as well as Blue Maid and Blue Stallion. Only female hollies bear fruit; they must be pollinated by male plants.
Paschall`s favorite is another hybird suited to the Midwest environment. Called China Girl and China Boy, they have a foliage that is more true green than the Meserve hollies` bluish leaves.
Though these hollies can tolerate cold temperatures, they`re less forgiving of stiff winds and hot sun. Strong winds can cause the green leaves to dry out and suffer from winter burn. A spot on the east side of a house with light shade and wind protection is ideal for these evergreen hollies. Hollies also like slightly acid, well-drained soil and moisture year-round.
Even easier to grow is another holly commonly called winterberry. Although blessed with abundant bunches of brilliant red berries, winterberry loses its leaves in winter. However, holly fans still use winterberry for holiday decorations and arrangements.
Bob Simpson, a holly breeder in Vincennes, Ind., likes winterberry varieties such as Winter Red and Afterglow. The berries start to color in August, and for two months they nestle among the green, spiny leaves. The leaves drop in the fall, but the berries remain through Christmas and into January.