In Good Thyme - by Mariana Graham

(POETRY)
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both fully grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing of the choir.

This lovely old English Christmas carol extols the beauty of holly and relates it to the life of Christ. There are many species of holly throughout the world, but English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is the one that has been associated with winter rituals since antiquity. Druids wore it in their hair for the ceremonial cutting of the sacred mistletoe (see last Wednesday's column). Ancient Romans decorated images of Saturn with holly wreaths during December's feast of Saturnalia. As Christianity overtook pagan Europe, the holly remained but became a symbol of Christ.
(POETRY)
The holly bears a blossom,
As white as lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our dear Savior.
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To do poor sinners good.

Holly's spiny, shiny, evergreen leaves protect the small, white flowers. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. In order for holly to bear the bright red berries for which it is famous, same-species trees of both sexes must be planted within 100 feet of each other. Bees accomplish pollination. English holly can grow to 50 feet and higher and can live for up to 150 years. The tree enjoys full sun and slightly acidic soil. It can grow in shaded areas, but berry production will suffer. Holly benefits from a springtime application of a rhododendron-type fertilizer.

(POETRY)
The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
On Christmas Day in the morn.

Holly trees require little pruning to hold their graceful shape, thank goodness, because those spiny leaves can be painful. If you feel you must prune your holly, try to do so in December, when the clippings can be used for holiday decorations. Suit up in leather gloves and long-sleeved jackets for this task! Hint: If you use holly on your holiday table, keep it away from fruit. Fruit naturally gives off ethylene gas, which defoliates holly.

(POETRY)
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
For to redeem us all.

Holly bark is smooth and gray. It may be, as the carol says, "as bitter as the gall," but I don't know anyone who has nibbled holly bark recently. Do take care, however, to keep small children and pets away from those beautiful red berries. They contain a toxin that, if ingested, causes extreme nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It doesn't seem to have this effect on birds, though. Wild birds flock to hollies to feast on the berries. In my neighborhood, cedar waxwings and robins seem particularly fond of them.
Now here's where I become a gardening grinch: Because English holly is very hardy and tolerant of a wide variety of growing conditions, it has become something of a problem in the Pacific Northwest. It's an invasive species that reproduces easily and may spread through local ecosystems, crowding out and using up much of the fresh water needed by native plants. The Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, an organization of professional and academic plant scientists and land managers throughout Washington and Oregon, has listed English holly as "Most invasive - regional" (highly to moderately invasive with a potential to spread).
However, even more widespread and listed higher on the "most invasive" list is the other plant named in our Christmas carol…English ivy (Hedera helix). Anyone who's read this column in the past eight months has seen my diatribes on English ivy, that tree-smothering, rodent-harboring, shingle-destroying European invader. I recently learned that in Portland there's an organization of folks who rescue trees and wildlands from the death grip of rampant ivy. They call themselves the "No-Ivy League." Perhaps we need to form a chapter here on Whidbey Island, in an effort to save the few remaining native Garry Oaks from the stranglehold of English ivy. Do I have any takers?
In the spirit of Christmas, however, I'll curb my botanical animosity - at least temporarily - and wish Whidbey Island gardeners and those who appreciate gardens, the greatest and greenest of holidays.

(POETRY)
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both fully grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

Mariana Graham is a WSU-Island County Master Gardener and a member of the Garden Writers Association of America. Send her your garden questions, hints or comments via the Whidbey News Times, 675-6611; fax 675-2732 or wnt@whidbey.net.

MASTER GARDENER CLINICS (click on picture)
Master Gardener plant clinics are being held at various Island locations throughout the summer. On the North end, bring questions and plant samples to The Greenhouse Nursery each Saturday in July from 9 a.m. to noon, Cenex on Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the Navy Exchange Garden Shop June 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Central Whidbey, it's at the Coupeville Farmers Market each Saturday through the end of July from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. South end clinics include Freeland Ace Hardware from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. You can also find Master Gardeners at South Whidbey Tilth on July 7, Aug. 4, and Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Clinics are held at Bayview Farm and Garden June 30th, July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Clinics may be scheduled at other locations when volunteers and resource materials are available. 'Can't make it to a plant clinic? Call the Master Gardener hotline (360) 679-7327 each Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of September.