did you know?

Not all hollies have spiny leaves and red berries. Japanese and inkberry holly have rounded, boxwoodlike leaves and black berries. Winterberry hollies have soft, deciduous leaves and hold bright-red berries on naked stems in winter. Blue hollies have red berries and dark blue-green foliage. But all of them are excellent landscape plants.

general maintenance:

Prune damaged and weak stems or branches. Plant responds well to heavy pruning and may be shaped into hedges and topiaries.

pests/diseases:

Spider mites may occur.

controls:

To control spider mites, apply horticultural oil, following label directions.

how to sow/plant:

Choose a sunny to partly shady site with well-drained soil, making sure there is enough room for shrub to reach its mature size. In early spring, dig a hole twice as wide as container or root ball. Set plant at same depth or slightly higher than it was in pot, or if balled, level with top of root ball. If plant is balled in synthetic fabric, remove carefully before backfilling. Natural-fiber burlap may be peeled back and left in ground once plant is set in hole. Fill hole around plant with soil. Mound soil to form a 2-inch-high ridge around perimeter of hole to act as a catchbasin. Water thoroughly, filling the basin and allowing water to settle several times. Spread 2-inch layer of mulch around plant.

water and fertilize:

Maintain uniform soil moisture the first season. Be sure soil is moist before ground freezes in fall. Each spring before growth begins, apply an all-purpose fertilizer, following label directions. Once shrub is established, usually by the third year, water only during drought.

garden hint:

Hollies are dioecious (meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants). Consider planting a closely related male cultivar near the females if fruit is desired.

features:

• Attractive Fruit
• Evergreen
• Shade Tolerant
• Winter Interest

garden uses:

• Containers
• Edging
• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Cut Flower (holiday greens)

combine with:

shrubs such as witch hazel winterberry holly fothergilla, and winter hazel that flower or fruit on naked stems.