The anthers release sticky yellow pollen. The ovary in male flowers is very small and not functional. The female flower has a prominent pistil made up of a stigma, style, and a large green ovary. Female flowers may have underdeveloped stamens, but they will not produce viable pollen. Holly flowers are cross-pollinated by insects such as bees and flies.
Pollination takes place when pollen is transferred from the male anther to the female stigma.
Return to Table of Contents Holly Orcharding Select male hollies which have desirable foliage for wreath making, and which produce large amounts of pollen at the time when the female hollies are in bloom. Generally, one male plant for every 20 female plants is sufficient to supply the necessary pollen in normal seasons. When planting your holly orchard, locate your male plants equally among the female plants. Bees must be able to visit male and female flowers during the same excursion for cross pollination to occur. The use of honey bees for pollination may be commercially feasible.