Extension Service Garden Hints

Deck your halls with boughs of holly

CORVALLIS - English holly, with its spiky leaves and blood-red berries, is an old favorite for holiday decorations. Its use goes back to ancient Romans, who believed holly would ward off such evils as lightening strikes and witchcraft. The Druids decorated their homes with holly during their winter solstice celebrations, believing that its evergreen character was a gift from the sun.

You can bring this gift from the sun into your home this holiday. Although not native, holly grows abundantly in Oregon. However, cut holly is perishable and begins to lose its leaves within a week if not properly treated. The Oregon State University Extension Service offers some advice on keeping holly fresh through the holidays.

First, gather holly when temperatures are above freezing and the day is cloudy and damp. Choose boughs with unblemished leaves and bright berries. Spray cut holly with cold water to remove residues and dust.

Professionals often treat cut holly with the hormone naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), which can sometimes be found at nurseries and garden stores. If you are using NAA, follow directions on the label and drain away excess moisture from holly boughs. This treatment will keep holly fresh-looking for several weeks.

Without the preservative, holly will last a couple of weeks if put into vases of water like cut flowers or used in wreaths and garlands. Keep holly arrangements in cooler areas, away from sources of heat.

For more information on "Preserving Cut Holly," FS 154, visit our on-line catalog. Our publications and video catalog at: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ shows which publications are available on the Web and which can be purchased as printed publications.

By: Peg Herring
Source: Jan McNeilan

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