Holly

Holly can be either an evergreen or deciduous shrub or tree, featuring spiky, glossy green leaves and bright red berries throughout autumn and winter. Holly is native to the UK, throughout Europe and Western Asia.

Holly trees can grow up to fifteen metres in height with a lifespan of up three hundred years. The wood of the holly is white, hard and fine grained, and can be stained and polished. It is used to make furniture, and more commonly, walking sticks.

Holly is a valuable resource for wildlife, providing nesting for birds, and dry leaves can be used by hedgehogs and other small mammals for hibernation. The flowers are a source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects, and the berries are a vital food source for birds and small mammals in winter.

In western herbalism, the soothing medicinal qualities of holly have been used to reduce fever, swelling and arthritis. The berries, however are poisonous to humans, and although rarely fatal, may cause vomiting and diarrhea.

The holly tree is sacred in Celtic mythology, symbolising peace and goodwill. It is known to be resistant to lightning strikes, and so was planted near dwellings to protect people. In Christian symbology, the spiky holly leaves represent the crown of thorns worn by Christ , and the red berries drops of His blood. The evergreen of the leaves symbolise eternal life.