What is Holly Plant?
The holly plant originated in Asia, the area around the Mediterranean Sea, and South America too. These plants have now become so popular and can be found in all parts of the world. Some people grow hollies because they produce berries that come in a range of colors including white, yellow, black, pink, and different shades of red.
One thing they don’t realize is that the holly bush has both the male plant and the female plant. Only the latter produces bright red berries. This means that there would have to be both plants nearby. However, there are some varieties that have male and female flowers so you don’t need two separate plants to produce the berries.
Growing holly trees inside your house, office, or in your yard adds structure thanks to their glossy green leaves. The evergreen leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for other Christmas decorations. Some holly trees grow up to about six feet tall but if grown outdoors that can grow so much taller.
Types of Holly Plant you can find in Hong Kong
There are numerous different types of the holly plant. Most of the different holly species are characterized by glossy green leaves and spiny dark teeth or serrated edges. Also, almost all species are dioecious which requires you to plant the male and female plants for cross-pollination to occur. The most common species are:
- American holly (Ilex opaca)
This species has spiny-toothed leaves and an abundance of red berries. Other common names for this plant include hummock holly, dune holly, and scrub holly.
- English holly (holly Ilex aquifolium)
This particular species is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its familiar shape is the one used to adorn Christmas decorations and inspire songs.
It is also known as Christmas holly, common holly, European holly, or Oregon holly.
- Japanese holly
In some areas, the Japanese holly is considered to be invasive. This species gives black fruits which are not as distinct as others in the family. The other alternative name is box-leaved holly because its leaves look like those of boxwood shrubs.