 Tradition
and trade
Holly
Kew's historic Holly Walk has the largest collection of hollies
in Europe with over 56 species and hybrids. Originally laid out
in 1874, most of the collection is over 130 years old. The tradition
of holly decoration lies far deeper in history with the early pagans
of Europe, who brought holly inside in the winter to provide fairies
with a warm place to sleep. The Romans sent holly branches with
presents during the December festival of Saturnalia, believing the
prickly leaves drove evil spirits away.
 True
holly woods of the kind found in e.g. Epping Forest, the Welsh Marches
and in groups of huge unpollarded trees in Cumbria are a British
speciality. Only at Tenbury Wells, however, is there a market where
holly is sold. It has been reported* that the last remaining commercial
holly farmer in Britain retired in 2000. The farm (Great Yarmouth,
Norfolk) is an area of 101 ha containing 500 trees of native and
non-native varieties.
* see the recent report 'Commercial
uses of wild and traditionally managed plants in England and Scotland'
Ivy
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