Why Planting These 20 Holly Trees Will Make Your Christmas Extra Magical

Gardening Inspiration
By Jasmine Hughes

Christmas is a time of magic, joy, and beauty, and what better way to enhance this festive season than by planting holly trees, known for their vibrant colors and rich symbolism?

These 20 holly trees not only add a touch of enchantment to your garden but also transform your Christmas experience into something truly special.

American Holly


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American Holly is a classic choice for the festive season, known for its glossy green leaves and bright red berries. This tree adds a traditional touch to any garden and is a favorite for holiday decorations.

English Holly


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English Holly, often associated with British holiday traditions, features dark, shiny leaves and abundant red berries. It’s perfect for creating wreaths and garlands.

Blue Princess Holly


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The Blue Princess Holly adds elegance with its blue-green leaves and striking red berries. It stands out in winter landscapes, offering a stunning contrast that’s ideal for festive decorations.

Nellie Stevens Holly


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Renowned for its rapid growth and pyramidal shape, the Nellie Stevens Holly fills your garden with lush greenery and cheerful berries. It’s perfect for privacy screens and festive decor.

Winter Red Winterberry


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This deciduous holly, Winter Red Winterberry, loses its leaves to reveal striking red berries on bare branches, creating a dramatic winter scene.

Japanese Holly


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Japanese Holly offers compact, small-leaved elegance, providing structure to garden designs and perfectly complementing Christmas landscapes.

Blue Maid Holly


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Similar to the Blue Princess, the Blue Maid Holly is celebrated for its dense, evergreen foliage and vibrant berries, making it a popular choice for Christmas displays.

Dwarf Burford Holly


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This smaller variety, the Dwarf Burford Holly, offers dense foliage and is perfect for smaller spaces, with clusters of bright red berries that enhance any holiday theme.

Foster Holly


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With its tall, slender form, Foster Holly is excellent for formal landscapes and provides a feast of red berries that last through the winter months.

Yaupon Holly


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Yaupon Holly is known for its delicate branches and translucent berries, bringing a unique charm to southern Christmas gardens.

Dragon Lady Holly


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The Dragon Lady Holly stands out with its upright growth and brilliant berries. It’s perfect for tight spaces and adds an exotic touch to holiday gardens.

China Girl Holly


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China Girl Holly is favored for its lush foliage and bright berries. Its modern look fits well in minimalist gardens, adding a pop of color to your festive decor.

Oak Leaf Holly


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The Oak Leaf Holly is notable for its unique leaf shape, mimicking oak leaves, and carries clusters of berries, making it stand out in rustic settings.

Sky Pencil Holly


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Sky Pencil Holly is known for its tall, thin form, offering a vertical accent to gardens. These are perfect for lining paths and creating striking holiday visual effects.

Savannah Holly


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Savannah Holly, with its broad leaves and scattered berries, is ideal for creating silhouettes against winter sunsets, adding a romantic touch to your garden.

Golden King Holly


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The Golden King Holly captivates with its variegated green and gold leaves, providing a bright and cheerful addition to any Christmas scenery.

Greenleaf American Holly


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This variation of American Holly, known as Greenleaf, is prized for its dense leaf cover and heavy berry production, creating a full and lush look for winter.

Dahoon Holly


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Dahoon Holly thrives near water, and its reflective beauty enhances tranquil holiday settings. The red berries mirrored in water are simply breathtaking.

Holly Hybrid ‘Festive’


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Named ‘Festive,’ this Holly Hybrid brings together the best traits of different hollies, offering unique foliage and berry arrangements for a distinct holiday look.

Carissa Holly


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Carissa Holly is child-friendly with its thornless leaves, making it an ideal choice for families wanting to decorate their backyard or garden during the Christmas season.