Of all of the traditional Christmas carols, “The Holly and the Ivy” is maybe one of the most obscure. While the tune dates back to 17th-century England, holly and ivy are important because olden days, when the two plants had spiritual meanings.

Rather than ban their use, the ancient Christian church adopted them for Christmas decorations by changing the symbolism to match the Nativity story. The tradition of working with these two evergreens has continued up to present times, likely because both evergreens have always been quite frequent and easy to get from woods and hedgerows.

The holly refered to in the lyrics is Common or English holly (Ilex aquifolium), and the ivy is English ivy (Hedera helix). Though widely grown, both can cause problems in gardens. Aside from the common species, a broad array of cultivars and species of both holly and ivy make good year-round shrubs and trees, while still providing festive foliage and berries.

English Holly
Ilex aquifolium

Along with the Christmas tree, holly really conjures images of a classic Christmas. The tradition of employing this particular fur is as powerful today as ever. We use holly in our Christmas wreaths and swags, cutting well-berried sprigs for the best effect.

Although garden centers and shops market decorated hollies wrapped and prepared, as well as plastic imitations, why not look at developing your own?

This is exactly what we we think of when we “deck the halls with boughs of holly.” It’s native to Europe and prevalent across the entire world. It develops, reasonably slowly, to some 40-foot-tree, though it responds well to pruning and creates an excellent topiary subject.

The colours of Christmas, red and green, could have originated from holly. During winter, glowing reddish berries have been held in clusters from shiny, spiny, dark green leaves.

Beware, however, plants are either male or female, and though they both carry flowers, only female plants produce the berries we all treasure. Although the native Ilex aquifolium is your favorite at Christmas, there are different varieties that maybe give more to some backyard within the year. English holly grows best in moist, well-drained soil.

USDA zones: 5 to 9 (find your zone); RHS hardiness rating (U.K.):H4
Water necessity: Frequent
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature dimension: 40 feet tall
Seasonal interest: Evergreen; red berries in winter
When to plant: Spring or fall

Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’

Through a quirk in naming, the ‘King’ is actually a female. If you are after holly berries, then ‘Golden King’ can be lean in fruiting and might not be the ideal alternative. But it makes up for its lack of fruit with its superb dark green leaves edged with glowing yellow. Berries start a reddish brown colour, then reverted to red.

It can be grown as a large tree but easily makes a tiny bushy tree.

USDA zones: 7 to 9; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Frequent
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 20 feet tall
Seasonal interest: Evergreen
When to plant: Spring or fall

Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’

‘Argentea Marginata’ creates a gorgeous conical tree. Its cream-edged leaves are generally spiny and so are flushed pink when young. It has quite dull white flowers followed by abundant bright red berries — ideal for Christmas decorating.

There’s also an intriguing crying cultivar, Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata Pendula’.

USDA zones: 5 to 9; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature dimension: 50 feet tall
Seasonal interest: Evergreen; red berries in winter
When to plant: Spring or fall

Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’

‘Silver Queen’ grows into a tiny, dense evergreen shrub with dark green spiny leaves with broad cream margins. The young leaves have a beautiful pink tinge. Its amazing foliage and bushy habit make it an perfect low-maintenance pruning plant.

USDA zones: 5 to 9; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Frequent
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 30 feet tall and 14 feet wide
Seasonal interest: Evergreen; flowers midspring
When to plant: Spring or fall

Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’

‘Blue Princess’ is one of the finest bushy, spreading hollies. Vibrant blue-green foliage is held on purple-green stems. These dark leaves provide a wonderful background for its white flowers, sometimes flushed with pink, that appear in spring. Abundant red berries follow.

USDA zones: 4 to 2; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Frequent
Light demand: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 10 feet tall and broad
Seasonal interest: Evergreen; flowers in spring
When to plant: Spring or fall

Hedera helix ‘Gold Heart’

This is one of the best variegated Hedera helix cultivars, using its little heart-shaped dark green leaves with pale golden facilities — pink stems are a nice added touch.

USDA zones: 5 to 11; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Moderate to regular
Light requirement: Shade tolerant but can keep its colour better in full sun
Mature dimension: Spreads 25 feet
Seasonal interest: Evergreen
When to plant: Plant semihardwood cuttings in summer.

Hedera helix ‘Sagittifolia’

‘Sagittifolia’ is a real stunner, using its arrow-shaped dark green leaves that take on a bronze tinge over wintertime. As well as being a great climber, in addition, it creates a fantastic ground cover for shady conditions.

USDA zones: 4 to 9; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Moderate to regular
Light requirement: Shade tolerant
Mature dimension: Spreads 12 feet
Seasonal interest: Evergreen
When to plant: Plant semihardwood cuttings in summer.

Hedera helix ‘White Wonder’

With its heart-shaped leaves edged in creamy white, ‘White Wonder’ is ideal for brightening any shady corner. It is a medium-height ivy that can become invasive, even though can be easily controlled by means of pruning.

Its amazing young leaves make it an ideal plant for both baskets and window boxes.

USDA zones: 4 to 9; RHS hardiness rating: H4
Water necessity: Moderate to regular
Light demand: Shade tolerant but requires sun to keep variegation
Mature size: Spreads 12 feeet
Seasonal interest: Evergreen
When to plant: Plant semihardwood cuttings in summer.

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