Ashleigh Smith
With the Christmas weekend quickly approaching we wanted to focus this week's posts on plants for the Holidays. Many plants have come to have a strong association with the Christmas season for their colors, legends, and seasonality. As you hear the background as to why these plants are so popular at this time of year, consider your own memories and the influence these plants, or any others, have played in your life. Nature plays a great role in our lives. You may be surprised at the memories that come flooding back because of these seemingly unimportant plants.
Today's plant is Holly. The influence of Holly at this time of year starts with winter celebrations of the Romans. At these celebrations, holly would be used to decorate homes and garlands in celebration of agriculture, creation, and time with the days being at their shortest times. The Celtics would include them in their wreaths for rites and festivals. More recently Christians have associated the plant with the death of Christ. As holly naturally possesses the characteristics of red and green coloration with sharp edges, this plant can be used for many symbolic representations of the season.
In its origin of use, holy was a tool to fend off evil spirits because of its sharp edges. In its root meaning holly is named for its “prickly” points which can be razor sharp. It is also tied to male protection with its counter being Ivy for females. With its evergreen qualities holly is guaranteed to look great all season no matter its significance to your celebratory traditions. Bring more than good luck and cheer this season by incorporating the holly berries and leaves into your decorations creating the ambiance of the perfect holiday environment.
Fun Facts About Holly:
- Holly is dioecious which means both a male and female plant have to be near for pollination to take place. Without pollination you won’t see the traditional berry development.
- The “berry” is actually a drupe. Drupes are a fruit with a flesh that surrounds a pit.
- Holly fruit is actually toxic to people causing nausea and diarrhea.
About the Author
I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
Reviewing the Aquatree Garden: A True Leaf Market Experience
The AquaTree Garden is an innovative growing experience! This nifty appliance allows you to grow leafy greens, microgreens, herbs, large sprouts, and vegetable starts (like tomatoes) all at once! When it comes to indoor gardening, there is no question ...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-04-225 min read1Parasitoid Wasps: A Beneficial Insect in the Garden
Written By Lara Wadsworth There are estimated to be around one million different species of parasitic wasps worldwide. In fact, most wasps are parasitic, which means they live on or in a host at the host's expense. For common garden pests like aphids, ...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-04-226 min read0Succession Planting: The Key to a Continual Harvest
Do you find yourself harvesting large amounts of any given vegetable from your garden all at once? There is a solution! The practice of succession planting, or planting in segments over a period of time, allows you to harvest root vegetables, leafy gre...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-04-223 min read210 Natives of the Southwest USA for Pest Control
Written By Lara Wadsworth The Southwestern United States is a region incredibly unique to the rest of the country. The hot, dry weather can be challenging for plants and animals to thrive without additional help. That is why gardening with natives can ...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-04-157 min read0