Table of Contents
Some annual holly companions include: Impatiens. Geraniums. Torenia. Begonia. Coleus. Hypoestes. Inch Plant. Lobelia.
What can I grow under a holly tree?
Often the branches of holly trees reach down to the ground, so the entire area is effectively covered by low branches. Ivy will grow there. Ivy never tries to climb up a holly tree, but merely covers the ground. Unlike most trees, holly is evergreen, so the ground never sees sunlight, so you can’t grow Spring bulbs.
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.
Are holly bushes good for landscaping?
Landscaping with holly allows for color in the garden even during the long winter months. Holly is evergreen and produces red berries that stay on during the winter. Their glossy foliage adds interest to the garden in any season. Holly is moderately easy to grow and requires little maintenance.
How far apart should you plant holly bushes?
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.
Should holly trees be planted in pairs?
With evergreen holly, you will generally need 1 male for every 20 female hollies. These hollies can be up to 500 feet apart – although 300 to 400 feet is typically recommended. Winterberry (deciduous) holly need to be closer than evergreen holly. You’ll want to plant 1 male for every 5 to 10 females.
Do holly and ivy grow together?
1. The two plants come together in the Christmas carol ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, reflecting their use as decorations since pagan times, when holly was thought to be male and ivy female. 2. Holly is dioecious, which means that there are male and female plants.
When should holly bushes be planted?
Late fall, early winter, or early spring are generally the best times to plant, depending on your climate and the holly variety you’ll be planting.
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.
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.
Can I plant holly next to House?
Can You Plant Holly Bushes Near A House? Holly bushes are best planted at a minimum of two feet from a house. Due to the potential invasiveness of the plants, they should be planted on the outskirts of the yard. On average, they can grow between 3 and 16 feet tall.
Is holly good for hedging?
Because of their evergreen nature, ease of pruning, and generally quick growth rate, hollies are the perfect plants for screening and hedging in the garden. If you are imagining a large hedge, consider I. × aquipernyi since it reaches between 20 and 25 feet at maturity.
What type of holly bush do I have?
The best way to identify holly trees and bushes is by looking at the leaves and berries. Individual species of hollies have distinctive glossy leaves with wavy margins and jaggy spines, small blunt points, or smooth edges.
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 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.
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 cross pollinate?
Having male and female hollies of the same species encourages healthy cross-pollination and berry production. Choosing the same variety also means they will bloom at the same time — a key factor if bees are to transfer pollen in a single trip.
How close do hollies have to be to pollinate?
Between the hollies. Male winterberry hollies must be fairly close to the females for pollination to occur. Experts generally recommend a distance of 100 feet or less. Also, there must be enough pollen to go around.
Can different holly species cross pollinate?
Hollies (Ilex spp.) are dioecious, meaning that they produce male and female flowers on different plants. Hollies are most efficiently pollinated by plants of the same species or variety. Thus, the ‘Jersey Knight’ cultivar of the American holly is able to pollinate many other female American hollies.
