Page 17 - Free State Spring 2022 - June FINAL

GROWING FORWARD A Leslie Hunter Cario

Connecting with the Holly

Society of America

here would you go to learn more about a type several evergreen species which can be used in many ways
of plant that you grow or would like to grow? throughout the landscape. At one point, the native Ilex
WMaybe you’d turn to the internet, or some books opaca (American holly) had become an enormous cash
you keep on hand for reference. Where would you go to crop as the evergreen boughs with bright red berries were
learn about a type of plant that you’d like to incorporate harvested as cuttings for holiday decorations. Unfortunately,
more into landscapes you design, or simply have a this led to the decimation of wild holly populations in NJ,
personal interest in understanding better? Maybe you’d PA, MD, and DE, which in turn led to a gathering in 1945 of
ask a colleague for advice or visit a public garden with that those who would help to save the species. HSA founder
plant type on display. Say that type of plants is hollies, an Harry Dengler, a forester with the University of Maryland
incredibly important horticultural product in Maryland… Extension, had the idea of forming a group of like-minded
the Holly Society of America (HSA) serves as an excellent naturalists, horticulturists, and others who appreciated
combination of all those learning possibilities and is an hollies. Fellow holly-lovers Clarence Wolf and Dan Fenton,
organization you’ll be glad to know about if you are not both of Millville, NJ. and Stuart McLean of Carney, MD joined
already familiar with its offerings. in the effort and the group was off and running. The goal
was to help educate the public about all species of hollies
Hollies are a valuable horticultural crop with a long history
and specifically Ilex opaca. The first official meeting of the
in Maryland. Serving as a focal point, anchor, or screen,
HSA took place in 1947 in New Jersey, where this not-for-profit
this is a highly versatile genera of plants that includes
organization was officially incorporated.
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Holly Auction, Nashville Annual Meeting (photo credit: Holly Society of America)

Get Active. Stay Involved. • SPRING 2022 17