holly shrubs

[vicki]

HELP!
lots of questions about these shrubs, is the red berry posionous to children will they grow in the shade. If berries are not posionous, which will grow in shade.

Thanks
Vicki

[pruninggal]

Hi vicki,

Holly berries contain ilex acid, which irritates the stomach and causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A child usually must swallow 20 or more holly berries before serious problems develop.

They will grow in the shade but they reseed like mad and are tough to prune (unless you will put them in a place in which they can grow their full size without being touched).

Good luck!
Pruninggal