This column is provided as an extension service by the Division of Extension and Community Relations and the Department of Horticulture Science, University of Saskatchewan. Although the flowers are inconspicuous, the berries are not. Because male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, it's essential to have one of each to ensure fruiting.
Most hollies are native to North America, southern Europe or Asia.
None are considered hardy in Saskatchewan although plant breeders have been working on increasing hardiness of the evergreen species. The American holly has duller leaves and more spines than the English holly. Both the fruit and leaves contain a mixture of the caffeine-like alkaloid theobromine, caffeine itself, and glycosides. In small doses these will stimulate the nervous system but in large doses they act as a depressant. In Europe, holly was once used in the treatment of such diverse problems as colic, fever, rheumatism, smallpox, and gout.