Happy holly days
Few plants rival the attraction that hollies (Ilex spp.) bring to backyard birds. Hollies offer a multitude of benefits for both humans and feathered friends alike. Most species are evergreen, providing year-round attraction as well as excellent nesting and shelter sites amidst the densely covered branches — especially in winter when other plants are left leafless and barren.
Since they range in size from towering trees up to 100 feet tall to creeping shrubs less than a foot high, hollies provide a range of options to suit different landscapes and species of birds.
And their berries are a bonus for hungry birds, as well as humans looking for a splash of color in their greenery.
Red, yellow, orange, white or black berries ripen in fall and, in some species, last until early spring. The berries not only enliven a wintry scene, a variety of songbird species, including cardinals, cedar waxwings, jays, mockingbirds, robins, chickadees and woodpeckers, consume the nutritious fruit.
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English holly berries
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Red English holly berries
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Landscape hollies
Hollies hold a lot of appeal for birds, but another amazing asset lies in the ornamental beauty they bring to the landscape. Depending on the variety, hollies can be round, spherical, pyramidal or columnar in form. Leaf shape and size varies from smooth to spiny, narrow to broad, and from quite tiny to rather large. Most species sport foliage that is dark green to glossy green in color, but blue types exist, as do striking variegated forms.
Hollies serve as foundation plantings, border plantings, privacy screens or hedges, or as accent plants. Smaller species are ideal when planted in masses or grouped together to form an attractive backdrop. Use the low, smooth-leaved Japanese species (Ilex crenata) to line a path, or try a taller evergreen variety as a backdrop to beds and borders.
Growing hollies
Most hollies thrive in USDA Zones 5 to 9, with some holding their own in Zone 4. Plants are either male or female, with the female producing fruit as long as a male plant of the same species grows nearby. Many of the Chinese hollies (Ilex cornuta) are self-fruitful, which means they will produce berries without a male variety. In most areas hollies produce the best berry crops when planted in full sun, but many adapt well to partial shade — especially where summers are hot.
The majority of hollies grow best in a well-drained, slightly acid soil enriched with organic matter. Aged manure or nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer applied annually will help keep foliage healthy and glossy. Apply a thick mulch of pine needles or other woody material each year to help maintain the soil's acidity and keep roots cool and moist.
An attractive option
If you want to attract more birds to your yard, hollies are a great place to start. Their versatility in style, wide range of heights, diversity of form and long-lasting berry display make hollies a must-have for any garden. — Kris Wetherbee