How to Prune Holly Shrubs

There are many varieties of holly--some are evergreen, some lose their leaves in winter. The ones with which most people are familiar are usually English or American holly, evergreens known for their dark green pointed leaves and bright red berries. To prune these types of holly, use the following steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pruning or lopping shears
• Gardening gloves

1. Shape the holly by pruning or pinching back the tips of the current season’s growth late in the season–usually autumn or winter.

2. Cut out dead branches or long spindly branches.

3. Thin the holly sparingly in whatever ways needed, such as removing a branch that is rubbing against another branch, or trailing on the ground.

4. Cut behind new leaf buds when cutting branches back so that the bush will “fill in” during the next season’s growth.

5. Remove all the trimmings.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only pruning shears or lopping shears. Hedge trimmers tear the leaves and can make a holly bush look unattractive.
• If cutting back dramatically, expect the holly to take one or more years to “fill” back in.
• Make sure you know what type of holly you have before pruning, so as to select the best pruning method. If unsure, consult your local nursery.

Resources

• Pruning Guide for Gardeners