Holly

WHAT IS HOLLY?

Holly is an evergreen shrub. The trees are dioecious (male or female). The females are preferred for cutting since only they carry the bright red berries. The trees can have spiny or smooth edges on the leaves and the leaves can be green or variegated with green or yellow and white. The small branches are commonly used for decoration at Christmas.

WHERE IS HOLLY PRODUCED IN BC?

Holly is principally grown on Vancouver Island with a few small plantings still left on the Sunshine Coast and in the Fraser Valley.

HOW MUCH HOLLY DO WE PRODUCE?

All of Canada's production comes from BC. It is a declining industry with fewer than 10 commercial producers cutting less than 50,000 kg per year. Many of the older established plantings in the greater Victoria area have been lost to urbanization over the past 30 years.

HOW IS HOLLY PRODUCED?

Holly trees can be started from seeds or from cuttings. Since the trees are either male or female, all commercial trees are propagated vegetatively, usually from cuttings to ensure an optimum number of female trees. They grow in well drained soil. Holly trees flower in the spring and the females produce berries in autumn. All the harvesting is done by hand beginning in November and no further pruning is normally required.

WHAT DOES HOLLY LOOK LIKE WHEN I USE IT?

Holly sprigs and branches are used for decoration, traditionally at Christmas.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE HOLLY LEAVES THE FARM?

Once the holly sprigs are cut they are taken to a central shed where they are dipped in a solution containing a copper fungicide and a plant hormone to prevent disease and leaf drop. After being dried, these branches are packed into plastic bags inside cartons and shipped to their destination. Most of this BC holly ends up in major centres in Eastern Canada.

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES THE HOLLY PRODUCER FACE?

There are both insect and disease problems which can make the holly crop unmarketable. A leaf miner which tunnels in the leaf in the early spring must be controlled and a serious fungal disease (twig blight) has cost growers entire crops in some years.

In addition, the market for the product seems to be in a decline as plastic versions take over the marketplace.

WHO'S INVOLVED IN PRODUCING HOLLY?

In all cases, the growers are also responsible for their own packing, shipping and sales.

Interesting Fact About Holly:

The name holly (from holy) is associated with folklore and religion. An ancient Druid ritual was to bring sprigs of holly indoors to provide a winter refuge for woodland spirits.

Contacts and other resources:

 

BCMAL - Agroforestry Information

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