QUESTION

THE green leaves on my berry-bearing holly have cream margins. Recently, a new branch appeared with the leaf colours reversed.

Why is that? Could I grow cuttings from this shoot? Mrs L. Henderson, Notts. youR holly has produced a ‘sport’. This is not unusual and can result in a new variety. That branch will also be female and should bear berries. There’s a similar variety: Ilex aquifolium silver Milkmaid.

The best time for taking holly cuttings is early autumn. Remove 8cm shoots, take off the lower leaves and root them in a mix of potting compost and sand. you could take them now, but protect the cuttings from the extreme cold.