Holly bush

[PurpleParis]

My partner has dug a new border in our garden, it doesn't get much sun and can be quite damp....we wanted to put either ferns in or maybe holly? But e heard somewhere that you need a male and a female holly bush if you ever want holly to have berries...is this true? Also if it is....do these two bushes have to be touching??? Thanks in advance....

[Hawkwalk]

yes it is true and no they dont need to be touching. If there is a male bush close by then that will work. Get a female variety if you want berries.

[boxtops]

We have three holly trees in our garden and they all have berries - I have no idea therefore where the male might be!

[johnk]

If you get a female there will be a male somewhere. But how can you tell the difference before they bear fruit I don't know.

[Robinia]

If you like the variegated ones try Golden King which is actually female. I only have that one but it's always berried really well so there must be a male around. A good nursery garden centre will be able to tell you which are male/female.

[rowanwitch]

Golden queen is the male there is also a silver queen that is male

Hollies are very odd in that way

[vulcan]

Don't plant them too close to any path that runs beside your garden. My holly trees are and every year somebody steals the berries.