Oh, by gosh, by golly
It’s time for mistletoe and holly…
There are songs we associate with Christmas, and there are also the plants.
“It’s time for mistletoe and holly…” or “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, underneath the mistletoe last night…” or “Have a holly jolly Christmas, It’s the best time of the year, I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup of cheer…” are a few that come to mind. Those of us who’ve lived in Atlanta for a while are probably not dreaming of a White Christmas (because the chances of having one here are minimal), yet we still enjoy the image along with plants linked with the holidays.
So, as you sit back with your cup of cheer, here are a few good-to-know tips for your holiday plants.
Hollies
Hollies have a long tradition of being part of winter festivities that dates back thousands of years to the Druids, who believed the holly’s evergreen nature made it sacred. The clippings make great holiday arrangements and wreaths, and the holly trees themselves are an excellent landscaping choice.
Hollies are typically low-maintenance trees and shrubs that perform year-round in the landscape, not only during the holidays. They tolerate well-draining, slightly acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. They’re (mostly) deer resistant. Holly plants are also primarily either male or female, which means the female plants produce the berries and depend upon the male plants for pollination.
American holly (Ilex opaca) is a native broadleaf evergreen tree that produces bright red berries throughout the winter that are eaten by cedar waxwings, cardinals, and other birds. Remember, these berries are considered toxic to humans and pets.
Mistletoe
One of the most famous holiday traditions may be kissing under the mistletoe. You’ll come across mistletoe hanging in doorways at many gatherings….
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