Buddy Holly was a music star from the 1950s, known for such songs as "Everyday." As Robert Fontenot, About.com Guide to the Oldies, relates, Holly died in a plane crash February 2, 1959, along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.
Not a fan of the music from that era? Perhaps you're a movie fan, then. Remember the 1987 film, Raising Arizona, in which Holly Hunter co-starred?
Sense a common thread yet? It's the name, "Holly" (as a last name and first name, respectively). And "Holly" appears in a myriad of other capacities, ranging from town names to song names. And my point would be...?
That holly has had a huge cultural impact on us. For a plant's name to appear on so many different fronts, the plant must be quite popular. The question then becomes, Why are holly shrubs such popular plants?
Simply consider the diversity of the Ilex genus to dispel any doubts that might exist as to the legitimacy of holly's popularity. And I'm not talking about diversity for the sake of diversity, mind you. No, when a genus offers the kind of diversity that Ilex does, that translates into the potential for a variety of uses in one's landscaping. From differences in height and shape to differences in berry color and leaf size, you could easily grow half a dozen types of hollies in your yard without feeling that you're engaging in any duplication whatsoever.
Read article: Holly Shrubs
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Photo ©2010 David Beaulieu (licensed to About, Inc.)
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