Holly Bush

Info

The holly family is extremely diverse. Plants come in all sizes, ranging from spreading dwarf shrubs 6" in height to trees 70' tall. The leaves are green year-round and fairly simple; they can be deciduous or evergreen depending on the species. They are mostly dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants; however, there are some exceptions. Female plants produce berries while male plants do not. The berries are small drupes, usually with four to six pits, and range in color from red to purple-black. Holly berries are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea when ingested by people; however, they are an extremely important food source for numerous species of birds and other wild animals.

The American holly has always played an important role in this country's culture. Prior to even the settlers arriving in North America, native Americans boiled the twigs with pine tops to produce a tea to cure coughs. Today, hollies are a common symbol of the Christmas season, from the bright red berries to the foliage used in wreaths and flower arrangements.

Varieties

  • Compacta

    Slow growing Japanese holly. Dark, glossy green foliage. Full sun to partial shade. Considered mostly allergy free.

  • Dwarf Bufordi

    Popular compact evergreen. Large, bright red berries. Dark green, glossy foliage. No thorns or spines. Mature height 4-6' tall and as wide. Full sun to partial shade.

  • Hoogendorn

    Slow growing, spreading evergreen shrub that remains compact. Japanese holly with dark green foliage. Mature height can reach 3-4 feet.

  • Nellie R. Stevens

    Rapid growing evergreen. Glossy, deep green leaves stay attractive all year round. Abundance of bright red berries. Full sun to partial shade.

  • Sky Pencil

    A unique form of Japanese holly. Naturally narrow and fastigiate growth pattern can reach 6-10 feet. Dark evergreen leaves. Full sun to partial shade.

Care and Maintenance

  1. Preparing the Hole

    Dig the hole as deep as the root ball, and as much as three times as wide as the diameter of the root ball. Breaking up the soil around the tree provides the newly emerging roots room to grow into loose soil to hasten establishment.

  2. Placing Your Tree

    Place the tree carefully in the center of the hole after removing it from the container. The tree's root collar (the bulge right above the root system) should be just above the top of the soil. Don't dig the hole too deep. It is better if the root collar is slightly (1 to 2") higher than ground level because of possible setting.

  3. Filling the Hole

    Carefully fill the hole with soil when the tree is positioned and straight. Fill the hole about 1/3 full and lightly push the soil around the base of the root ball. Fill the remainder of the hole taking care to gently but firmly pack soil to eliminate air pockets that may cause the roots to dry out. Don't plant the tree too deep. Back fill the soil to the height just below the root collar.

  4. Mulching

    Place 2 to 4 inches of mulch in a 2 to 3 foot circle around the tree. Keep the mulch from touching the trunk to keep fungus from growing on the trunk. Mulch can be aged wood chips or bark. Mulch helps keep roots moist and insulates them, and prevents weed growth. It is not recommended to apply fertilizer at the time of planting.

  5. Watering

    Water the tree well as soon as you plant it. Water the tree at least once a week for the first year after planting. A slow, root-saturating, one-hour trickle once a week is recommended for a new tree. The watering schedule should be adjusted accordingly if it rains or is very dry.