Ilex, commonly known as holly, is a versatile and enduring choice for floral arrangements that extends well beyond the holiday season. Their berries in many colors and sturdy branches make them a favorite among florists and designers aiming to add a touch of natural elegance to their creations.
However, to get the demand and supply balanced a grower and a trader teamed up making big plans for this beloved product group. Here's what happened when KMB Flowers and the Coloríginz label Radical Wonders joined forces.
Ilex Is More Than Just Holiday Decor
While Ilex is often associated with Christmas, its appeal spans from early autumn to late spring. The plant's berries, available in hues of red, gold, yellow, and orange, provide a rich palette that complements various seasonal themes.
In autumn, Ilex pairs beautifully with Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, and Hydrangeas, creating arrangements that reflect the season's warmth and abundance. As winter transitions to spring, the lemon-yellow varieties of Ilex harmonize with fresh blooms like tulips, Ranunculus, and Anemones, bringing a refreshing brightness to floral designs.
A Steady Supply of Ilex by Grower KMB Flowers With Radical Wonders
Over recent years the demand for Ilex has always outnumbered the supply. Specialty grower KMB Flowers and the Colorígiz label Radical Wonders collaborate to turn this around. With the ambition of becoming the world's largest source of top-quality Ilex, an area of 50 hectares was designated to produce enough to fulfill the peak in demand.
Teus Beekhuis from Radical Wonders explains:
"It takes two years for a plant to mature for commercial purposes, in other words: to switch from leaf in one year to berries in the next. Therefore, KMB Flowers has split the 50 hectares production area into two parts of 25 hectares each, both producing 2.5 million stems annually. This will help us not have to sell "no" to our customers, especially not during the high in the season."
Varieties of Ilex: A Spectrum of Colors by Radical Wonders
Radical Wonders believes Ilex is more than a Christmas favorite: there remains a world of endless possibilities still to be explored. There are various colors available, from radical red to sunny orange and lemon yellow. All warm winter hues are easy to intermix and form an inviting, modern palette. Here are a few to look out for.
Ilex Red
Dazzling, fiery red. Meet the classic Ilex Verticillata Red, a spectacular Ilex bearing bright red berries. A fantastic variety of holly with bright orange-red berries, tightly placed on slightly branching dark stems. Ilex Red is world-famous for being used in December holiday arrangements. But this variety can be more than a Christmas favorite. It's perfect as a solo decoration or supporting a more intricate arrangement with its passionate reds. It’s easy to imagine Ilex Red as a radical work of impressionist art. Pure joy!
Ilex Winter Gold
A winterberry with a heart of gold. Fantastic decorative branches and heavy stems bear orange-colored berries with a coral blush. Ilex Verticillata Winter Gold is a slow-growing, multi-stemmed shrub with heavy berries. The dark green foliage turns to a warm golden bronze in the fall. In spring or early summer, tiny green and white flowers sprout from its branches, that by the end of the year are replaced by beautiful peach-colored berries. A breathtaking sight against the cool backdrop of a chilly winter.
The growers of Radical Wonders protect Winter Gold from hungry birds, who otherwise pick the branches bare. With the right precautions, the berries will remain until early spring next year. The branches, with their bright berries, are fantastic decorations, either in a floral arrangement or solo. Bold, cheerful, and surprisingly refreshing when paired with darker, more subdued colors. Fun fact: A few years ago, this Winter Gold was a Winner of the Gold Medal Award of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Ilex Orange Beauty
Orange Beauty is bright, bold, and beautiful. Bring a pop of color to your creations with this perfect Ilex. This Ilex Verticillata variety Orange Beauty has bright orange berries on dark, branching stems. The berries on this variety have shaded warm tones of orange and red, contrasting with the dark woody stems. Perfect as part of any centerpiece, in decorations and modern arrangements. Let the sunshine in!
Ilex Julia
A truly romantic and amazing variety, with beautiful berries in salmon and cream. Ilex Julia is a salmon and cream-colored cut flower. The branching stems bear plenty of colorful berries, with subtle shades ranging from a romantic pinkish salmon to a summery white.
Ilex Magical Cresgold
A beautiful variety with magical colors, ranging from a dark orange to a warm golden glow with colorful berries on a dark, branching stem. The unique color, ranging from dark orange to a warm golden glow, lends a dreamlike quality to this variety. florists love Magical Cresgold for its unique style. It impresses in the holiday season and far beyond, bringing a touch of radical magic to traditional and modern arrangements.
Ilex Citronella
A winter berry that’s hot like summer, with the splash of color of fresh lemons. Like all species of holly, Citronella is a deciduous shrub. The fruit is a so-called winterberry, persisting on the branch long into the winter. Unlike most hollies, this cultivar bears fruit with a popping yellow color. It’s a lemony twist on a brilliant product! Holly is traditionally prized for use in wreaths and garlands. The sturdy branches provide firmness and filling to bouquets and arrangements.
Citronella’s spectacular yellow color is great to mix and combine with other kinds of holly as well as other flowers. Contrast Citronella with bright colors, or let them liven up more subdued shades. It will not disappoint you. During winter, Citronella loses all foliage. What remains are the iconic berries. A traditional Celtic symbol of love and hope, Citronella brings a touch of summer to the heart of winter. Available during fall and winter, in a variety of stem lengths. They’re extremely durable, and under the right conditions, they can be preserved for months. Store them cold, in clean water.
Ready to Let Ilex Shine in Your Design?
Ilex branches are striking enough to stand alone in arrangements. Their natural form and berry clusters draw attention to the intricate details often overshadowed in mixed bouquets. When showcasing Ilex solo, selecting the right vase is crucial. A sturdy ceramic vase offers a rustic charm, while a clear glass vase provides a minimalist, contemporary look. For those who prefer a fuller display, grouping multiple vases, each with a single Ilex branch, can create a cohesive and impactful centerpiece.
Did You See This Reel by Peter van Delft?
Popular floral influencer Peter van Delft (@petervandelft.flowers) recently paid a visit to KMB Flowers and met with grower Mark Bouw, and with Teus Beekhuis and Marty Star from Radical Wonders. Watch his Insta post here:
All photos courtesy of Coloríginz. Header and feature image by Nico Alsemgeest.
