Holly and the ivy
As a Christmas carol, where the holly is referred to Jesus. (Christ) The thorny holly leaves refer to the crown of thorns that Jesus wore and the red berries to his blood and the ivy refers to Jesus’s mother, Mary. However, the song comes from a much older English folk song from the early 18th century. But, again the symbolism of the two plants denoting male and female. There wasn’t till the 19th century that a tune was added to the Holly and the ivy.
Traditionally around Christmas, we would bring in evergreen foliage in to the house and decorate with sprigs or made-up garlands and wreaths around rooms within our houses. Often used was Yew, mistletoe, holly, juniper, ivy, as these are commonly growing natives. With modern hybridization of our native plants there is now a whole array of these plants providing different leaf colours and variegation.
Here are a few variations for us to consider; –
Ilex aquilifolium
Our common native holly. It has dark emerald green glossy foliage. Usually grows as a small to large tree if unchecked. Makes a very good plant for hedging. Pruning this holly as a hedge or small tree keeps the foliage prickly. Mature trees often have smooth foliage. The berries on females are a good red.
Ilex aquilifolium Silver queen
A striking small shrub with black/purple stems that carry prickly dark green and silver leaves and the berries are a nice red.
Ilex aquilifoium Aurea marginata
Just like the above two but has gold variegation and lovely spiky leaves. Like most variegated holly’s it is slow to establish but once it is established make a lovely shrub/tree in our gardens.
Ilex altaclerensis golden king
A large shrub or small tree with ovate shaped leaves that are slightly spiny has an attractive gold and green foliage. One of the best gold variegated hollies around.
Ilex Van Tol
The Van Tol hollies come in both dark emerald green and gold variegated leaves. With these shrubs however, you are guaranteed large red berries as the birds do not like to eat the berries off these.
Hedera Helix
Our common ivy, can be found quite often growing up trees or a wall. When mature can produce long shoots with lovely dark green, slightly shiny leaves. These shoots can be used to garlands or add them to wreaths along with holly. When mature the leaves change shape but remain a lovely dark green. Mature ivy also flowers and has at Christmas lovely clusters of black berries.
Hedera helix ‘’variegated’’
A lovely silver variegated version of our common ivy. Behaves and grows in the same way as above. There are also lovely gold versions available. Its worth taking the time to seek out the many variations of this plant and the interesting leaf shapes to add excitement to our garlands at Christmas.
Hedera colchia
This the Persian ivy from the Caucasus, A climbing plant like our common ivy and full hardy here in the UK. This plant is much larger and has lovely leaves up to 6-8 inches long and although green climbing plants are available, it’s the variegated versions in silver or gold and green leaved plants that if you have the space make quite stunning impact in our gardens. Much like our common counterpart once mature produce long seasonal growth that’s great for garlands on our homes.
Of the varieties available Hedera colchia sulphur heart or paddys pride and great gold and green leaved varieties. Hedera colchia variegata is a great silver and green variety
There are many workshops around this time of year ( or maybe get a group of your friends together and have a morning of sharing pieces of holly, ivy and other evergreens from your gardens) that we can attend that can show us how to use pieces from these plants to make wreaths, garlands and arrangements on our homes.
Below is a gallery of pictures relating to December
