Burford Holly’s Bountiful Berries
Q: My neighbors and I have seen several beautiful trees around Atlanta that look like they are approximately 30 feet to 40 feet tall with berries, and we are curious if they make berries like this every year. I know the bushes do, but I am not sure about trees like this.
A: I have been astounded this year to see the number of berries on most hollies, but particularly the Burford hollies, which can be pruned to tree form. This holly has the ability to produce berries without needing pollination. This is called parthenogenesis, and Burford hollies aren’t the only plant that can do this. Burford holly combines three characteristics that make it outstanding: fast growth, parthenogenesis and hardiness.
When the plant was discovered in Westview Cemetery in southwest Atlanta, it immediately stood out. Every Burford holly in the world came from here.
I don’t know what causes bountiful berry years for Burford as well as hollies that need pollination, but I have some guesses. If there’s a hard rain when the flowers are open, it harms the pollen and pollen receptors in holly flowers. Warm weather is a must because cold-blooded insects slow down when it’s cool. The summer should be mild with no extreme dry periods. Given a good growing environment, hollies can amaze viewers driving past at 60 mph miles an hour.
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