Fresh ilex, symbol of life.

Fresh ilex, symbol of life. Ilex you probably know as holly and especially in red. But psssst, we like to share a little secret here: there are also surprising other colours.

COLOURS AND SHAPES
Ilex (holly) comes in red, but also in yellow, orange, green, cream and salmon pink. Less classic than red, but oh so surprising and trendy. All varieties have a dark green stem between 30 and 120 centimetres.

SYMBOLIC
For centuries, holly has symbolised life with its evergreen leaves. This meaning fits nicely at Christmas time but also before or after, of course. Even today, we still use holly as a symbol. In a wreath, it symbolises lasting friendship and loyal love.

HISTORY
Ilex is found wild in southern and western Europe and western Asia. The Latin word Ilex is derived from quercus ilex (holm oak) because the leaves of the holly are somewhat similar to those of an oak.