How do holly trees pollinate

Unlike many plants, male holly flowers are borne on male trees, and female flowers are carried on female trees. Although hollies are perhaps the best example of this condition, there are a number of other plants that share this distinction, for instance, asparagus, willow, ginko and the white fringe tree.

Here in Zone 6, some hollies begin blooming in March, while others wait for April, May, or even early June. I counter by asking whether they have ever noticed the honeybees swarming around their hollies. Although the aroma given off by holly blossoms is very faint, the bees and other insects are quick to detect it and come to collect the nectar. Most male holly blossoms unfold four white petals to reveal an equal number of tiny white horns filaments atop which can be observed the pollen sacks anthers which contain the sticky yellow pollen.

Male trees carry huge clusters of these blossoms, which are a major attraction for bees and other insects. In collecting the nectar, these visitors become well coated with the pollen. Female holly flowers open to reveal what appears to be a small green berry in the center of the flower.

Although they also have a set of horns, these are strictly decorative and produce no pollen. Bright red berries tucked in glossy, evergreen foliage or standing alone in stark contrast to a tan stem. Nothing says holiday like holly berries.

Winter may be the time of year that we adore our holly, but spring is the time when all the magic happens. Lo and behold! I was rewarded every winter with baby berries. But, it is a reminder that if you enjoy those red berries on your holly, outdoors or in, you need to be prepared to plant more than one.

Holly is Dioecious. Dioecious means that they belong to a group of plants that have both male and female flowers. This can contribute to the spread of holly bushes in wild landscapes. If you worry about a lack of pollinators around your holly bushes, you can purchase bees for your garden. Having male and female hollies of the same species encourages healthy cross-pollination and berry production. Choosing the same variety also means they will bloom at the same time -- a key factor if bees are to transfer pollen in a single trip.

Typically, one male holly shrub can pollinate five to 10 female plants, though sometimes it can pollinate up to If weather is typically wet during the blooming period, it's smart to include many male plants in the garden, as the weather may interfere with insects' traveling and pollinating.

The medical uses are that the berries can be used for childern's diarrhea. Also tea from the leaves has been used for measles and colds. Leaves help treatment for sore eyes and itchy skin.

The only plant truly associated with the Christmas season because when the first settlers of the Americans from across the pond saw it on the shores of what is now Massachusetts it reminded them of English Holly, which was always used to celebrate Christmas in Europe. Since then it has been popular for use in the Eastern United States for its berries and foliage and Christmas decorations and ornamentation. Despite its beauty, one must be careful because the red berry-like fruit that the females produce are toxic and therefore should not be eaten.

Despite being toxic to humans, the berries are considered to be a vital source of food for birds during seasons when other food sources are limited. But even before European settlers came over it was also used by the Native Americans to make a tea for coughing by boiling the leaves, and it was even a plant favorite of George Washington. The Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to years or longer.

Common Name s : American Holly Tree. Scientific Name: Ilex opaca. Continent of Origin: North America.