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The American holly grows to a height of 40–50′ and a spread of 18–40′ at maturity.
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.
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 much space does a holly bush need?
To plant holly, dig a hole two to three times the width of the plant’s root ball. Place the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball level with or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Allow at least 5 feet between smaller varieties and up to 25 feet for large, tree-type varieties.
How tall does a holly bush get?
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.
Are hollies fast growing?
Nellie Stevens Hollies are fast-growing trees, which are frequently planted in rows between 5 and 6 feet apart to create a dense hedge or privacy screen. Regardless of its proximity to others in the species, Nellie Stevens Hollies are considered fast-growing trees, and they can grow as much as 3 feet a year.
Does holly make a good hedge?
So whether you want a practical hedge with screening properties, beautiful foliage, year round cover, seasonal interest or to utilise as an effective addition to a garden design or mixed hedgerow and will thrive in difficult conditions, Holly is the perfect hardy hedge plant for you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When can you transplant holly bushes?
The best time to transplant a holly bush is in early spring. Transplanting in early spring helps to keep the plant from losing its leaves due to the shock of being moved.
What can I plant next to holly bushes?
A few common holly companions for planting next to the shrubs include boxwood, viburnum, clematis, hydrangea, and rhododendrons.
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.
Is there a dwarf holly?
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.
Can hollies grow in shade?
Most hollies prefer full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soils. Some species will grow in shade but will produce less fruit. Hollies are relatively pest-free, but some do suffer from winter die-back.
What is the fastest growing holly bush?
What is the Fastest Growing Holly? The fastest growing holly tree is the Nellie Stevens holly. As mentioned, the Nellie Stevens Holly grows about 3 feet per year. Compared to the American Holly and the Dragon Lady Holly, which both usually only grow a few inches each year, the Nellie Stevens holly grows very quickly.
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.
Are holly trees good for privacy?
Hollies are among the top choices for privacy plantings and for good reason. Their dense, evergreen foliage and upright form make for a reliable wall. The distinctive oak-shaped leaves of Oakland™ Holly set this variety apart.
