Deck the halls with boughs of holly… but why holly? Where does this tradition come from?
Once again, we turn to the pagans. Both the Celts and the Romans brought evergreen plants into the home during winter, believing that their abilities to remain green throughout the cold months was magical and promised the return of spring. Christianity adopted the practice and holly was used as a representation of the Crown of Thorns, with the red berries symbolising the drops of Christ’s blood.
And so the tradition continued throughout the centuries – from 16th Century German wreaths to Victorian drawings on Christmas cards, the humble holly has been a hallmark of the festive season.
As Henry VIII wrote in his Christmas carol:
Green groweth the holly,
So doth the ivy.
Though winter blasts blow never so high,
Green groweth the holly.
Pictured below is a Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Camelliifolia’ and this particular type of holly is a hybrid which originated in Highclere estate. It has smooth leaves, however they do turn spikey when they have been attacked or pruned!
So, this year let’s continue tradition and deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la. 🥂
Tree Weaver 