EPISODE · Dec 5, 2025 · 1H 1M
Ep. 233 Deck the halls with holly: Growing and enjoying Ilex spp. | #GoodGrowing
from Good Growing · host Chris Enroth
Holly isn’t just a festive decoration; it’s a plant with a rich history that can be incorporated into almost any garden. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast, as we explore the fascinating world of holly (Ilex spp.), from its cultural significance in ancient traditions to its role in modern landscapes. Learn about different species, tips for planting and care, how to ensure those iconic red berries appear, and even some surprising uses for holly. Whether you’re decking the halls or planning your garden, this episode has everything you need to know about this holiday favorite. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ymwu5eIsyaw Skip to what you want to know: 00:37 - Welcome, Ken. Talking holly this week. 01:47 – Holly mythology 05:10 - General growing conditions and care of holly 07:47 - Holly are dioecious, what does that mean? How does that affect pollination and fruit production? 13:21 – Pruning hollies 16:19 – Holly species (some) 17:28 - Ilex glabra – Inkberry 22:26 - Ilex crenata - Japanese holly 26:06 - Ilex decidua – Possumhaw 28:07 - Ilex verticilata – Winterberry 31:39 - Ilex x meserve - Blue holly 35:05 - Ilex aquifolium - English holly 36:58 - Ilex opaca - American holly 41:00 - Ilex cornuta - Chinese holly 42:56 – ‘Nellie Stevens’ 45:59 – Ilex cornuta ‘Burford’ 47:17 – Holly and wildlife 50:11 – Tea made from holly and a taste test 58:09 – Holly and deer and rabbits 59:06 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
What this episode covers
Holly isn’t just a festive decoration; it’s a plant with a rich history that can be incorporated into almost any garden. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast, as we explore the fascinating world of holly (Ilex spp.), from its cultural significance in ancient traditions to its role in modern landscapes. Learn about different species, tips for planting and care, how to ensure those iconic red berries appear, and even some surprising uses for holly. Whether you’re decking the halls or planning your garden, this episode has everything you need to know about this holiday favorite. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ymwu5eIsyaw Skip to what you want to know: 00:37 - Welcome, Ken. Talking holly this week. 01:47 – Holly mythology 05:10 - General growing conditions and care of holly 07:47 - Holly are dioecious, what does that mean? How does that affect pollination and fruit production? 13:21 – Pruning hollies 16:19 – Holly species (some) 17:28 - Ilex glabra – Inkberry 22:26 - Ilex crenata - Japanese holly 26:06 - Ilex decidua – Possumhaw 28:07 - Ilex verticilata – Winterberry 31:39 - Ilex x meserve - Blue holly 35:05 - Ilex aquifolium - English holly 36:58 - Ilex opaca - American holly 41:00 - Ilex cornuta - Chinese holly 42:56 – ‘Nellie Stevens’ 45:59 – Ilex cornuta ‘Burford’ 47:17 – Holly and wildlife 50:11 – Tea made from holly and a taste test 58:09 – Holly and deer and rabbits 59:06 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
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Ep. 233 Deck the halls with holly: Growing and enjoying Ilex spp. | #GoodGrowing
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