holly trees

[scripsi]

After a frankly horrible 5 years in which I would generally be found sobbing at the first appearance of Christmas stuff in supermarkets, I have surprised myself by feeling a bit better this year. I have seen some holly trees in hessian bags in Tesco and am wondering whether to buy two to put outside our front door.

Have any of you had these before and do you put them outside/inside? Do they last (I am not a gardener, but I would like to plant them in the garden eventually if they grew, initially I would plant them in tubs).

Thanks!

Definitely outside. Yes they can be kept in tubs for a couple of years before planting out. They are slow growing.

Oh good! thanks Nemno. Is there some kind of issue with getting male and female trees in order for them to have berries?

Do you have a variety name? Most female hollies won't produce berries without a male about.

www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-male-and-female-holly-bush.htm

No I am not sure about variety - I saw them when shopping late last night but will have to go back and see.
I just checked on the tesco direct website which seems to sell the same holly trees as the stores, but there's no variety name on there either.
www.tescogifts.com/Product/Id/2227/Name/Holly_Tree

You might consider looking at nurseries and garden centres for standard holly trees, and they will be able to advise you on variety/male/female etc. You will probably get a bigger tree for your money too at a nursery.

thanks Girlywhirly that's a good idea. I did think the tesco ones are a bit pricey but wasn't sure what the norm is.

I looked at these today but they had fake plastic berries on them.

oh wow - didn't realise the tesco ones have fake berries! That's not what I am after!

I agree that a garden nursery is your best bet. Some varieties will self pollinate. But if you want berries then I doubt anything the size that Tescos sell would be fruiting. If you do go bigger then be aware that the plant probably won't like being in a tub. They don't like being moved but are ok when small if you transplant with a big rootball so that the roots don't actually get disturbed.

thanks Nemno, just the kind of advice I need as I am not greenfingered (yet!). I'll try to make it to a garden centre this weekend.

I have a big, but berry-less holly bush
It gets red berry fairy lights for Christmas

Yes I thought these were gorgeous until I noticed the fake berries

Hmm I don't think it would be tragic if the holly bushes were berry-less. Like the red berry fairy lights idea startail
VBisme how did I not notice the plastic-ness?!! (though I suspect much of Christmas requires us to be trained in ignoring the plastic-ness of things)

Actually, if you did have real berries on your holly, the birds would eat them if there is no other source of food. Birds tried to eat artificial berries on a Christmas wreath outside my house one year! I found the berries on the ground where they'd pulled them out.

haha! I didn't know even the birds could be fooled. Sounds as if I'll start with real berries and then end up with strategically placed red fairy lights.