Ilex

The genus Holly (Ilex) includes about 400 species - frost-resistant and unstable evergreen trees and shrubs. Most of them are dioecious plants, that is, flowers (female and male - the latter are usually inconspicuous) develop on different plants. Therefore, to get very bright berries, it is necessary to grow specimens of both sexes. The most cultivated of the species is holly (Ilex aquifolium). It can often be found in natural conditions. Evergreen species up to 25 m high with dark green, glossy and leathery short-stemmed leaves, on the lower branches with prickly teeth. The flowers are white, in axillary tufts. In the autumn-winter period, female specimens produce spherical red drupe fruits (fleshy, with a single seed - a woody stone); they are poisonous. Here are some of the many decorative forms: 'Golden Queen' - columnar plant, leaves with a golden border; 'Pyramidal' - an erect tree. Horned holly (I. cornuta) is a compact, slow-growing species. It has rectangular and prickly leaves, fruits are bright red. Whorled holly (I. verticillata) is one of the deciduous species. Its young leaves are purple in hue, and their autumn color is yellow. Red fruits are kept on bare branches all winter.

The genus Holly (Ilex) includes about 400 species - frost-resistant and unstable evergreen trees and shrubs. Most of them are dioecious plants, that is, flowers (female and male - the latter are usually inconspicuous) develop on different plants. Therefore, to get very bright berries, it is necessary to grow specimens of both sexes.

The most cultivated of the species is holly (Ilex aquifolium). It can often be found in natural conditions. Evergreen species up to 25 m high with dark green, glossy and leathery short-stemmed leaves, on the lower branches with prickly teeth. The flowers are white, in axillary tufts.

In the autumn-winter period, female specimens produce spherical red drupe fruits (fleshy, with a single seed - a woody stone); they are poisonous.

Here are some of the many decorative forms: 'Golden Queen' - columnar plant, leaves with a golden border; 'Pyramidal' - an erect tree.

Horned holly (I. cornuta) is a compact, slow-growing species. It has rectangular and prickly leaves, fruits are bright red.

Whorled holly (I. verticillata) is one of the deciduous species. Its young leaves are purple in hue, and their autumn color is yellow. Red fruits are kept on bare branches all winter.

Cultivation

Holly and other species are used for hedges; ornamental species with variously colored fruits and beautiful foliage are widely grown in parks and gardens. You can also cultivate them in pots, but always outdoors. However, this is possible only for 4-5 years, after which the plant is placed in the open ground in the air. Young plants are finally planted in March-April in mild climates or in October - in colder climates. You need to make sure that the root neck is not buried during planting. Leave a distance in the hedge between the trees 60 cm. The soil needs to be fertile, rich in organic matter, moist and well-drained. Potting substrate is a mixture of fertile turf land, sand and peat, taken in equal parts, filled with a complex fertilizer at the rate of 20 g per bucket of soil. Subsequently, each spring is fertilized with liquid fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 ml per bucket of water. Plants that form naturally do not require pruning. Other specimens should be plucked in spring and summer.

Holly and other species are used for hedges; ornamental species with variously colored fruits and beautiful foliage are widely grown in parks and gardens. You can also cultivate them in pots, but always outdoors. However, this is possible only for 4-5 years, after which the plant is placed in the open ground in the air. Young plants are finally planted in March-April in mild climates or in October - in colder climates. You need to make sure that the root neck is not buried during planting. Leave a distance in the hedge between the trees 60 cm. The soil needs to be fertile, rich in organic matter, moist and well-drained. Potting substrate is a mixture of fertile turf land, sand and peat, taken in equal parts, filled with a complex fertilizer at the rate of 20 g per bucket of soil. Subsequently, each spring is fertilized with liquid fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 ml per bucket of water.

Plants that form naturally do not require pruning. Other specimens should be plucked in spring and summer.

Location

Holly can be planted both in the open sun and in partial shade. For decorative varieties with variegated leaves, open sun is necessary to preserve their color.

Temperature

There are frost-resistant and more heat-loving species. However, they are mostly grown resistant. In any case, it is recommended to carefully mulch the ground around the trunk circle with straw, leaves or other covering material.

Watering

In case of drought, plants should be watered abundantly, especially young and potted plants.

Transplant

Potted plants are transplanted once every 2 years in the spring to a new container, more spacious than the previous one.

Reproduction

Propagated usually by seeds and cuttings. A more common method (especially in relation to decorative forms) is with semi - lignified cuttings (a branch of the current year with a "heel") about 10 cm long. They are taken in August and placed in a mixture of sand and peat in a protected, but not hot place. Then, after the formation of the roots, the cuttings are planted singly in pots, and after about 2 years they are finally planted. Another method of reproduction of decorative forms is grafting on holly. It is held from March to the end of spring (or peephole in summer). In October, propagate layers: choose a long branch and make an incision on it, then dig in.

Propagated usually by seeds and cuttings.

A more common method (especially in relation to decorative forms) is with semi - lignified cuttings (a branch of the current year with a "heel") about 10 cm long. They are taken in August and placed in a mixture of sand and peat in a protected, but not hot place. Then, after the formation of the roots, the cuttings are planted singly in pots, and after about 2 years they are finally planted.

Another method of reproduction of decorative forms is grafting on holly. It is held from March to the end of spring (or peephole in summer). In October, propagate layers: choose a long branch and make an incision on it, then dig in.

Diseases

A mining fly causes most of the foliage to dry out and fall off. Before the very beginning of flowering or at the first signs of pest damage, the plant should be treated with insecticides. Plants weakened by drought with an increased pH value (soil acidity) or a lack of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) are affected by fungal diseases, which cause purple spots to appear on the leaves. They are eliminated with the help of fungicides and the creation of optimal conditions for the plant.