Ho ho ho... it’s time to get to know holly!

Peter Dowdall celebrates the prickly berried plant that takes centre stage at Christmas —and its relatives.

We all like to overindulge at Christmas — it’s a time to kick back, put the feet up and enjoy too much of a good thing.

It’s all about traditions at this time of the year, and from a gardening point of view, the most important is berried holly. We use it in wreaths, garlands and simply in vases about the house. The bright red berries contrasting so vividly with the dark green foliage make it one of the foremost symbols of the festive season in this part of the world. And, as you are settling down to enjoy a plate piled high on Christmas day, so too for the birds, who will be tucking into a feast of Holly berries.