Nellie Stevens holly can survive in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil with a slightly acidic or neutral pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Holly can also survive in slightly alkaline soil, heavy clay, dry sand, and almost any other type of soil.
A good time to prune mature “Nellie Stevens” hollies is in middle to late fall or in the early spring. These older hollies can handle winter temperatures, even with pruned branches. Pruning in fall allows new growth to develop in the spring.
Beside this, How far back can I prune holly?
Keeping in Shape Shape a holly by shearing back the sides and tops by up to one-third of the plant’s size. Cut back the branches to within 1/4 inch of a bud or leaf so there aren’t bare branch tips poking out of the shrub.
Likewise, Can Holly be hard pruned?
This is a drastic form of pruning used in an attempt to rejuvenate an old holly or to reduce the size of an overgrown holly that has outgrown the space it was intended to fill. Plants that require rejuvenation can be hard pruned in late winter to almost any height, even to a height of 6 to 12 inches above the ground.
Also, How do you prune overgrown holly bushes?
Prune holly bushes to keep their natural growth in check. Always remove any dead or diseased branches. Then start from the inside and work outward. Cut branches just above new leaf buds or all the way back to main branch.
How do you prune overgrown holly?
Cut back all the branches of an overgrown holly bush to 6 inches shorter than your desired size for the plant. Prune off branches that cross other branches, and thin out dense areas, removing weak and overcrowded growth. Cut back growing tips each time they put on 6 inches of growth.
16 Related Question Answers Found
Can you cut the top off a holly tree?
Should I cut the top out to encourage branching? ANSWER: It’s better not to remove the top of a tree. Cutting off the central leader encourages branching that produces an abnormally shaped tree. The upper branches of a tree may be several feet apart.Jan 27, 1996
When should holly trees be pruned?
The ideal time to prune hollies is in the dead of winter—especially for drastic pruning. Normal cutting and shaping can be done in either winter or Spring—or even early summer if you want to see where the berries form and remove branches that are less showy. The worst time is late summer through early fall.
How fast does Nellie Stevens holly grow?
How fast does Nellie Stevens holly grow? Nellie Stevens holly can grow up to three feet in one year.
How much can you cut back holly bushes?
Deciduous hollies are in a pruning category all their own. These vigorous growers should be thinned back every year in late winter to improve their shape and encourage new growth. Stems that are thicker than a thumb should be cut to the ground, but never remove more than one-third of the shrub.
What time of year do you trim holly bushes?
When to Prune Holly Bushes Most people can prune a holly bush while the plant is dormant (in winter). In fact, December is actually a great time for holly bushes pruning. Trimming holly bushes helps them keep their shape and appearance looking neat. However, not all varieties are pruned at the same time.
When can you cut Holly back?
Timing is an important factor when pruning hollies. Whenever you prune your plants, they typically send out new growth, which is susceptible to sudden drops in temperature and frost. For evergreen hollies, it’s best to prune in early summer so that this new growth won’t be damaged by cool temperatures.
What time of year do you trim holly trees?
Most people can prune a holly bush while the plant is dormant (in winter). In fact, December is actually a great time for holly bushes pruning. Trimming holly bushes helps them keep their shape and appearance looking neat. However, not all varieties are pruned at the same time.
How tall can a holly tree grow?
American holly normally grows to heights of 15 to 30 feet tall, but records indicate mature heights of up to 100 feet. On the poor soils of coastal beaches, this holly may never exceed shrub size.
How far back can I cut my holly bushes?
Evergreen hollies can also benefit from rejuvenation pruning if they become badly damaged or overgrown. Cut the entire bush down to within 12 inches of the ground in late winter.
What is the best time to prune holly trees?
Most people can prune a holly bush while the plant is dormant (in winter). In fact, December is actually a great time for holly bushes pruning. Trimming holly bushes helps them keep their shape and appearance looking neat. However, not all varieties are pruned at the same time.
How do you prune an overgrown holly tree?
– Cut back one-third of the oldest and tallest stems of your holly tree to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground in early spring. …
– Prune an additional one-third of the stems back the following spring. …
– Lop the remaining one-third of old stems off in the third year and remove the tips from the previous year’s new shoots.
How big does a holly tree get?
60 feet tall
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