Birthday Flowers: Holly

All this year we've been celebrating life in the roaring twenties by looking into the birthday flowers that are associated with the month in which a person was born. Birthday flowers have symbolic meanings attached to them that convey traits or sentiments to those born in the month. The message may be in the plant or flower, or in the color of the flower.

For December, birthday plants include holly and Narcissus. I am focusing on holly since it is a wonderful plant for the Christmas season, symbolizing happiness at home. Holly is more a plant than a flower, but the dark leaves and red berries have become a symbol of Christmas.  

Leaves and berries of European holly (Ilex aquifolium)
(Photo by Jürgen Howaldt)

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen tree or shrub that is native to the United Kingdom. Holly has prickly leaves, white flowers, and red berries in winter. The fruit is eaten by deer, squirrels, small animals and birds, but is semi-toxic to humans. Holly is dioecious (two houses), with red berries indicating a female plant. Holly was once viewed as protection against evil spirits and as a symbol of fertility, happiness, good fortune and joy.

Plant Aquarium: Toyon

The toyon hedge in our lower yard shields us from the sights and sounds of a busy street during rush hour, and is typically alive with bird sounds. It's spring and the blossoms are just getting started. Later the bushes will be filled with white flowers, followed by bright red berries.

 

H. arbutifolia with the start of new blossoms

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a common perennial shrub native to southwest Oregon, California, and Baja. It can be found in coastal sage scrub plant communities, the chaparral, and mixed oak woodlands. It is in the Rosaceae family, and is the only species in the Heteromeles genus.

Cluster of white toyon flowers in spring

The shrubs grow to 6-16 feet tall (2-5 meters), and can live from 100-200 years. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, and sharply toothed with short petioles. The flowers are small, white, and arranged in terminal clusters. The berries are bright red and festive during the fall and winter holidays.

Dense foliage and red toyon berries in fall

Toyon survives on very little water, and is less of a fire hazard than some chaparral plants. They are visited by butterflies, and the fruit is eaten by birds (mockingbirds, robins, cedar waxwings, and hermit thrushes) and even mammals. Native Americans used the leaves, bark, and berries for medicinal purposes, including Alzheimer's. We are visited by many birds in our yard, and the dense hedge provides them sanctuary.

Learn more:

• Wikipedia
• Jepson Herbarium
• U.S. Forest Service (search for Heteromeles arbutifolia)