Ilex pollination partners

nik99knight

hello could anyone tell me if all holly species can cross with each other?

If there is any info on what species go together I'd be grateful.

nutcutlet

Do you mean species, as in Ilex aquifolium, I. crenata, I verticillata? or you you mean cultivars, like 'Silver Queen', 'Golden King', 'JC van Tol', 

Do you want to hybridise or just get berries?

nik99knight

Hello yes crosses between any of them which would produce berries. I know Jc van tol is both sexes, and some of the queens and kings are opposite. 

Just wondered if you put males and females from any of those species if you would get berries.

Thanks

nutcutlet

All those are cultivars (cultivated varieties) of one species, Ilex aquifolium, the native English holly. Any female can be pollinated by any male. 

Yes, quite ridiculous, Golden King is female and Silver Queen is male., Once a name has been given it stays. Who knows how that happened?

Generally you will find those for sale are sold as either male or female. If not, they are probably seed raised and you won't know which they are til they flower so don't buy them.

They are not crossing, one is pollinating the other.

all plants need male and female parts of flower to produce seed. On some plants the male and female parts are both in the same flower. In others (holly is one) male parts are found in the flowers of some bushes and females in other bushes, never both on one.

Look up dioecious and monoecious if you're interested.