We know it looks festive during the holidays, with its dark, spiky leaves and bright red berries. However, it’s not so jolly for Orcas plant life. Because we want you to continue to enjoy lots of berries and beautiful holly foliage, this article covers, the issues with English Holly and potential replacement plants for it. Please note, we have a very bead infestation of Wild English Holly in our HOA land woods which will cost a few thousand dollars to start to remove it. It is imperative, if you have English Holly in your yard, to remove it.
Issues with English Holly:
It poses a significant threat to Pacific Northwest forests. It is shade-tolerant and thrives in dense forests of western Washington. It forms a dense undergrowth that can overtake native species, significantly changing forest composition and reducing biological diversity.
University of Washington studies show the spread of English Holly in Washinton. They found examples like the forest around Lake Youngs, (East of Seattle), which has established wild holly. There is a Douglas fir forest overstory, but underneath, there’s a 15-to-30’ growth of holly, like a thicket, with very little of anything else growing underneath. So, the whole native understory, in some areas, has been replaced by holly, including young Douglas firs which cannot grow in this environment.
Why isn’t English Holly on the Noxious Weed List: Efforts to add it to the list have been blocked by a holly farmer who is on the WA State Noxious Weed Control Board. So, many don’t know this is a plant to avoid and the state has no control over guidelines for nursery sales.
What can I plant instead of English Holly? ‘Garden Wise’ Noxious Weed Control Board’
Lots of red berries and holly foliage: Meserve Hybrid Hollies, (Blue Boy, Blue Girl, Blue Prince, Blue Princess, China Boy, China Girl, Berry Magic, & Ebony Magic. All grow 15-18’ and easy to maintain as a hedge.
Plant with a dense, upright habit and dark green holly like leaves: Tall Oregan Grape. A native plant for screening and hedging in sunny areas. Grows to 8-10’. This plant has bright yellow blooms, followed by blue/black berries in summer.
Great for screening and looks like holly without the berries: Osmanthus or False Holly. Well suited for screening and hedges. It has small and very fragrant flowers in autumn. It grows to 15’. It is easy to care for, grows in sun and shade and is free of any diseases or pests.
A reminder: The Noxious Weed Committee would like to remind you that weeds grow where brush and trees have been removed. You can reduce the number of weeds by planting small plants, or bushes, (recommendations are located on HOA Noxious Weed website); cover the area in mulch or be diligent about weeding in spring/summer.
Also, if you have any questions on the above or about Noxious Weeds in general, please contact Joanie Knipe at 480-215-1311.
Orcas Highlands 