Evening star., 1943-10-24
Plant Hollies in Hedge or Border

As winters cold breath puts a
stop to the growth of the plants
In the shrubbery border and strips
them OF their leaves, leaving them
barren and forlorn, a need is felt
for the addition of evergreens,
especially the berried ones. They
do much in the border to relieve
1t OF the dreary aspects of win
ter and to increase the year-round
interest in the garden. While it is
not always easy to work evergreens
Into deciduous shrub border,
where 1t can be done it adds to the
interest and value.
Among the many desirable shrubs
Or trees-that are useful in the
shrub border, the hollies are Of out
standing value. Slow of growth,
they do not outgrow their situation
quickly. Their berries are attractive
and In most cases last throughout
the winter. Their compact growth
Is Of value as a windbreak protect
Ing the home as we'll as the sur
rounding plants.
Two species of holly are native to
this area. Others have demon
strated their suitability to our soil
and climatic conditions, so that we
have choice Of kinds with vary
ing foliage, habit Of growth and
color OF berries.
The American holly Ulex opacal
Is the species that most gardeners
visualize when holly is mentioned
This species grows throughout this
area and supplies much of the ma
terlal for wreaths and SPRAYS for
the holiday season. The sharply
barbed leaves, bright red berries
and the thick compact habit of
growth make it outstanding. The
American holly thrives in sun or
shade. Its slow growth makes it
Ideal for hedges. As a specimen
plant In the yard it is truly a gem.
while in the border a group 1.-TWO
or three make an interesting focal
point or background. In general
We seem not to make adequate use
OF the American holly.
Two interesting and deliphtful
appearing hollies, the English and
the Chinese, are too often looked
upon as exotic plants. Both have
longer points though fewer on their
leaves, have very glossy foliage. and
are somewhat more snowy than the
American holly On the other hand
they are less hardy and should not
oe used in positions where undulv
exposed. 1t is believed that the
Chinese holly 1lex cornuta) is the
haroler of the two, but splendid
examples Of both are to be found
IN many sections of WASHINGTON
The berries of these two hollies are
larger and more snowy and with the
very glossy foliage the contrast is
more colorful than that of the
American holly.
An interesting holly that bears
large crops of wax-like orange scar
let colored berries, that has long
been locked upon as too tender
Tor this area, is the Yaupon Ilex
Vomltoria). This ma tive of the South
makes the finest hedge. Its small
leaves and thick tw1ggy growth are
perfect for this purpose. While the
4aupon is undoubtedly tender there
are enough specimens growing in
this area to justify still wider use
IN the more protected situations
LEX crenata, the Japanese holly,
mas long been used as a low growing
evergreen in local shrubberv plant
ings. The black berries do not con-
.rloute to its interest, the compact
low evergreen growth being its out
standing asset. The smaller leaved
variety war. microphylla) is fire.
quently used in place of lockwood
Tor hedges. 1t withstands hard
pruning very well, although soft
eucculent tips may be winter killed
IN an exposed situation.
The southern Inkberry or Gall
berry, as it is frequently known, is
an evergreen holly Glex glabra
native to the Southeast. The hand
some dark green evergreen foliage