HOLLY

1st December 2023

Blow, blow, thou winter wind.

Thou art not so unkind

As man’s ingratitude.

Thy tooth is not so keen,

Because thou art not seen,

Although thy breath be rude.

Heigh-ho, sing, heigh-ho, unto the green holly.

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.

Then heigh-ho, the holly.

This life is most jolly.

Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,

That dost not bite so nigh

As benefits forgot.

Though thou the waters warp,

Thy sting is not so sharp

As friend remembered not.

Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly.

AMIENS: As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7

HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium)

Holly is one of our most beloved trees of winter. The evergreen leaves and the bright red berries are brought inside to decorate our homes at Christmas and it provides food for birds throughout the coldest months.

Holly trees are dioecious, they have male and female flowers on different trees. Holly produces small white flowers in spring/summer and the distinctive red berries can stay on the tree all winter. Holly leaves have the pointed edges when younger leaves but older or higher up leaves can have a straight edge.

More Information

BSBI Plant Atlas 2020: Holly

Woodland Trust: Holly