Although holly tolerates pruning well, it usually needs no pruning. An easy to grow shrub reaching 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Holly is most commonly associated with the Christmas season, the branches and berries a favorite component of holiday decorations. It can take many years for a seeding to sprout. When sheared, the plant should be wider at the base than the … Winterizing holly begins with suitable care. Water a newly planted holly as needed to keep the soil lightly moist. If you are a DIY type, you may prefer to create your own holly plant from seeds or cuttings. Spread 2 to 3 inches of natural mulch such as shredded bark around the plant to conserve moisture and keep weeds in check. To determine your soil pH, use a soil testing kit available at most garden centers. Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) has a spread of 8 to 12 feet, and is able to reach heights of 40 feet tall, although it is more often seen at heights between 20 and 30 feet tall.The dark evergreen leaves are 2 to 3 inches long and smooth, supple, and shiny, with a few serrations near the tip. However, don't allow the soil to become waterlogged, as soggy soil can rot the roots. Holly plants are either male or female and you’ll need both to get berries, plus pollinator insects. Take extra care to maintain a moist, not soggy, environment in containers. Plant your holly tree during early fall before the soil freezes. That being said, most hollies are very tolerant of less than ideal locations and will grow well in part shade or dry or swampy soil. If you want to trim the plant or maintain a desired shape, prune the plant in late winter or early spring. According to horticulturalists at the Florida Extension Service, Environmental Horticulture Department, bees carry pollen to a distance of 1 1/2 to 2 miles. When growing holly indoors though, it’s best not to try to propagate holly from seeds, since these can prove difficult to germinate. However, don't allow the soil to become waterlogged, as soggy soil can rot the roots. Holly (Ilex) is a family of low-maintenance evergreen and deciduous plants that range from 12-inch shrubs to trees measuring up to 50 feet. Once planted and properly established, hollies need very little care and attention. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals for their distinctive foliage and red or black fruits, which persist into winter and are popular Christmas decorations. When the water drains, finish filling the hole with soil, then use the back of a shovel to firm the soil around the plant. These shrubs like well-drained soil with a pH that is acidic. The plant requires well-drained soil and prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. American Holly. For smaller spaces and even containers, consider a dwarf holly. Keep the soil just moist. Yaupon holly (I. vomitoria) is also best left unpruned; however, trimming holly bushes like these can be done when absolutely necessary to maintain appearance. You may be able to find English holly (Ilex aquifolium), a popular plant in Europe. Once you have your holly houseplant, you’ll need to learn about indoor holly care. The best source of plants is a greenhouse or a plant nursery that sells indoor plants. Sign up for our newsletter. Though it's generally a low-maintenance shrub, you will need to prune your plant in order to keep its size under control and to promote the growth of lateral buds and shoots. Mix in compost as an amendment. To plant holly, dig a hole two to three times the width of the plant's root ball. Don’t let it dry out or get soggy. Mulch also enriches the soil as it decomposes. The best placement for growing holly indoors is in a sunporch or a room with a sunny bay window. are nature’s own holiday décor. Holly – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing This plant can be sheared to a particular shape, but can also be hand pruned for a less formal look. Broad-leaved evergreens, such as hollies or rhododendrons, are particularly susceptible to damage. Cut back overgrown branches to within 1/4 inch of a leaf or bud. Most varieties are suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Drainage holes and high-quality potting mix will provide an ideal beginning for this holly. Prune holly lightly at any time, though severe pruning must … Japanese hollies can also be pruned as needed in midsummer or late winter. A female holly produces fruit only when it is pollinated by a bee, which carries the pollen from a nearby male plant. Warmer climates benefit from fall planting, so the plant roots will have a lot of time before the onset of hot, dry summers. Choose a planting site that receives six to eight hours of full sunlight and has rich, well-drained soil for optimal berry and foliage production. But if your landscape has been well planned, winter need not be a time of colorlessness. create your own holly plant from seeds or cuttings, Holly Shrubs For Zone 5: Growing Holly Plants In Zone 5, Reasons Why A Holly Bush Doesn't Have Berries, How To Tell The Difference Between A Male And Female Holly Bush, Wintercreeper Control – How To Get Rid Of Wintercreeper Plants, Getting Rid Of Chinese Privet: How To Kill Chinese Privet Shrubs, Upright Boxwood Plants – Growing Fastigiata Boxwood Bushes, Living Wall Kit Info – How To Grow A Living Wall Kit, Natural Christmas Decorations: Homemade Garden Christmas Crafts, Fern In A Hanging Container: Care Of Ferns In Hanging Baskets, DIY Felt Vegetables: Handmade Felt Vegetable Ideas For Christmas, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. Care for Holly bush Once Holly shrubs are established, it is easy to look after. You can plant the shrubs in almost any garden location since they tolerate full … Holly seeds are difficult to germinate, so cuttings are used to start plants. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Chinese Holly appreciates moist, well-drained soil when planted in the ground or a pot. Photo by Proven Winners. Once a year, fertilize the bushes in a year with a balanced fertilizer. However, you aren’t likely to get those festive berries. How about a cutting? Will Pansies Survive 20 Degree Temps In NE? Choose a rather large pot at least eight inches wider than the root ball. Whether you're a budding gardener or veteran floriculturist, there's no shame in wanting to take the easy way out with your backyard foliage.That's where these low-maintenance shrubs and bushes come in. HOLLY BUSH - GROW & CARE FOR HOLLY Enjoy Christmas cheer all year long with these favorite shrubs By Janet Loughrey. Caring for your holly bush: Water daily for the first week after you plant your holly bush, then twice a week afterward until they are established. Synonymous with the Christmas season, the holly bush joins the ‘Christmas’ tree, mistletoe, and of course, the tropical poinsettia. Popular varieties include American holly, Japanese holly and Chinese holly, but all types have similar care requirements. Although holly can be planted any time of year, spring or autumn planting is optimal. Warm spells in late winter can also injure plants. The browned leaves and dead branches are the result of winter injury, likely sustained during the very cold temperatures we had back in January. (We know, not everyone has the time or talents to maintain a flourishing flower bed year-round.) And now might be a … Holly Bush Care About Ilex (Holly) Shrubs And Trees Everyone recognizes Ilex, more commonly known as holly bush. Before planting holly, work the soil thoroughly with a spade or tiller. Spring is also suitable depending on your region. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Holly requires some sun. Fertilize once a year. Full sun. Cut out single sprigs of holly for flower arrangements and holiday displays as desired. Also called by their scientific name “ilex opaca,” American Holly is native to south … However, some varieties, such as Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) are suitable for USDA zones 7 through 11. Water thoroughly to saturate the roots. One male plant will be sufficient to pollinate up to 20 females. Generally, holly requires no supplemental fertilization. Both are woody plants with glossy green leaves and red berries. Place the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball level with or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. From evergreens to winter garden ideas and everything in between, these plants give … She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing. Keep the soil just moist. Holly plants already acclimated to indoor growing will experience less shock when placed in a home with an indoor heating system. Leaf shapes range from the large, spiny leaves of holiday tradition, to tiny, smoother ones that are often mistaken for boxwood. Because holly shrubs tend to have shallow root systems, add mulch. Wait until dormancy for heavy pruning or simply trim as needed for shape. However, if soil is poor or growth is poor, feed the plant in spring and autumn, using a fertilizer formulated for evergreens and other acid-loving plants. Make sure to follow the directions on the package for the type of fertilizer being used so as not to over-fertilize your holly plant. Holly, genus of some 600 species of shrubs and trees in the family Aquifoliaceae, distributed nearly worldwide. The best placement for growing holly indoors is in a sunporch or a room with a sunny bay window. How to Identify the Difference Between Male & Female Holly Bushes, North Carolina State University Extension: Hollies in the Landscape, University of Illinois Extension: How to Lower Soil pH, Los Angeles Times: Growing Holly Makes Holidays Jolly. The best time for planting holly bushes is in either the spring or fall. Hollies are known more for their berries than their small white flowers. Very little maintenance is needed. You can find red, pink, blue, orange, yellow, and white berries, with some varieties more showy than others. Although both produce small white flowers, only female plants produce berries. Q. You’ll be able to decorate the little holly tree at Christmas time. The following tips will help: Surround the holly with a thick layer of mulch extending out to the drip line, but leave a 2- to 3-inch (5-8 cm.) Rich and glossy forest-green foliage, along with vibrant red berries on some varieties, make Holly Shrubs the perfect option for a stylish ornamental during the winter. Sorting out the hundreds of varieties and hyb… The Tree Center regularly offers a number of different products available at even lower prices than usual.All of these products are just as healthy as the rest of our inventory, but we happen to have an excess of these plants, and make them available to our customers at a discounted price. They may need regular watering during prolonged dry periods in summer, especially when young and establishing in the soil. Feed with a general granular plant food in spring and cover the soil with a thick mulch.