Plant of the Week: December 24, 2020
I’m a self-admitted fanatic when it comes to hollies in my landscape. I have to be careful to stick with types that can handle our alkaline soils, but even with that obstacle before me I still find a lot of great options.
![](https://neilsperry.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12-23-20-Dazzler-holly-fruit-vertical.jpg)
The first time I ever saw Dazzler hollies was back in the 1970s. They and a similar, but shorter/smaller variety known as Berries Jubilee, had been introduced by Monrovia Nursery Company from California.
Berries Jubilee, we were told, would grow to be 3 to 5 feet tall and Dazzler 5 or 6 feet tall and wide. Each had deep green, spiny leaves, and each was introduced for its large clusters of extremely showy berries that hung on the plants all winter.
![](https://neilsperry.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12-24-20-Dazzler-holly.jpg)
Somewhere along the line I lost my Berries Jubilee hollies. By the time I got around to replacing them I found that they and Dazzlers as well were no longer being offered in the nursery trade. The trends, I was told, were toward softer looks without spines. I can understand that, but I will also say that, having grown hollies in my own landscape for 50 years, I’ve never been hurt even once by their spines. You just learn to respect them. I wouldn’t trade hollies’ durability and year-long good looks in sun or shade for anything, but that’s just me.
So, at least for now, I introduce Dazzler holly to you. It’s a winner that needs a place in more gardens.
In the meantime, when you need a great plant to serve you faithfully, if there’s a holly that’s suited to your soils and climate, it would be one of your very best candidates.