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Some holly bushes grow to about 6 feet tall, while others can reach 50 feet and higher! Make sure you choose a plant that’s the right size for your landscape — and that will thrive in your climate. The quintessential Christmas variety, for example, is English holly, which grows best in Zone 6.
How wide do holly bushes get?
Habit: Size ranges from 4 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 15 feet wide, with structure that is upright, dwarf, columnar, or weeping. Foliage and berries: Glossy green leaves are ½ to 1-1/2 inches long and oval with slightly toothed margins.
Do holly bushes grow fast?
Once established, holly bushes grow at a slow to medium rate. You can expect to see height increases of between 12 and 24 inches per year.
Where is the best place to plant a holly bush?
The best location for planting holly bushes is in well-drained but not dry, slightly acidic soil in full sun. 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.
How far apart should holly bushes be planted?
Space hollies 5 to 25 feet apart, depending on their mature size. Dig holes for each seedling that are just as deep as the root ball but about two to three times as wide in diameter. Set aside the removed soil. For hollies to cross-pollinate and bear fruit, male and female holly bushes must be planted near each other.
Does holly make a good hedge?
Holly is ideal for hedges because of its relatively rapid growth and dense form. The red berries also add festive spots of color against dark green leaves that are set off by snow covering the landscape.
Is holly a tree or shrub?
holly, (genus Ilex), genus of some 600 species of shrubs and trees in the family Aquifoliaceae, distributed nearly worldwide. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals for their distinctive foliage and red or black fruits, which persist into winter and are popular Christmas decorations.
Does holly grow in winter?
Hollies are tough evergreens that can survive punishing cold as far north as USDA plant hardiness zone 5, but that doesn’t mean they are impervious to damage from winter sunlight, freezing temperatures and drying winds. Winterizing holly properly can make the all the difference, and it isn’t difficult.
How do you tell a male holly from a female holly?
The best way to determine the sex of holly plants is by examining the flowers, which are located between the leaf and branch joint. Although the small clusters of creamy white flowers are similar in appearance, males have more prominent stamens than females.
Do you need 2 holly bushes to get berries?
Hollies are dioecious, meaning that they need male and female plants in order to produce seeds, which are what berries are. So only female holly bushes will have the red berries. This means that if some of your holly bushes do not have berries, they may be male and simply cannot produce berries.
Are holly bushes slow growing?
Slow growing by season but capable of reaching heights of 30′ eventually, American hollies are evergreen and their foliage is the quintessential Christmas decoration—just watch out for the long spikes.
How do you plant hollies?
Hollies like: Light: Holly plants to best in full sun. Soil: Well drained loamy soil that is slightly acidic. Water: Hollies like a moderate amount of water, usually adequately provided by rainfall. Mulch: Several inches of mulch to prevent freeze-thaw damage to the shallow roots.
When should holly bushes be trimmed?
So for best outcome and to ensure your hollies aren’t unduly stressed, wait until late winter or early spring — just as the plant breaks dormancy — before you do any major downsizing. By waiting till your hollies are about to begin active growth, you’ll also avoid several months of a skeleton appearance.
How long does it take to grow a holly hedge?
Holly hedges plants have a slow growth rate of approximately 10-15cm each year. They will create a thick, decorative display reaching a height of up to 4m.
What is the fastest growing privacy hedge?
The Leylandii is a conifer that’s the fastest-growing, evergreen hedge and will create one quickly. If it is pruned every year, Leylandii will create a formal dark-green evergreen screen or box-shaped hedge, similar to a Yew hedge.
How do I look after a holly bush?
Once planted and properly established, hollies need very little care and attention. 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.
Do hollies need sun?
1. Location, location, location. Holly bushes do best in well-drained, moderately acidic soil, in full sun. They don’t like to be transplanted, so think carefully about where you’ll plant.
What is the smallest holly shrub?
The Chinese dwarf holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Rotunda’) is a small, compact shrub with recognizable spiny leaves. This dwarf holly tree is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 to 9 and only reaches a height of up to 6 feet.
How long does a holly bush live?
The Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around 30-50 feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to 100 years or longer.
