How to Plant Holly Shrubs
There are more than 300 ilex, or holly, species found throughout the world. Their sizes range from 18 inches to 50 feet. They may be dwarf or weeping or have blue, yellow or variegated foliage. All hollies are evergreen (meaning they don't drop their leaves in winter) and female hollies produce bright red berries. Shrub hollies, also called dwarf hollies, are popular foundation plants as they form tidy mounds and need little care once established. Plant holly shrubs in full to part sun in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (4.0 to 7.0). Holly shrubs will tolerate all soil except heavy clay. Holly shrubs are long-lived with few pests and diseases. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a spot in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil. Northern gardeners should site their shrub hollies so they have protection from the prevailing winter wind.
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Mix 3 to 4 inches of compost into the top 12 inches of soil at the planting site.
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Dig a hole just large enough for the shrub holly's root ball. The hole should place the holly at the same depth it was planted at the nursery or in its container.
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Mix compost into the removed soil until you have a fifty-fifty mix of compost and soil.
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Remove the holly shrub from its container or unwrap the burlap from balled and burlapped shrubs. Make 3 to 4 vertical slits in the root ball going from top to bottom. The slits should be 2 to 3 inches deep. These slits stimulate root growth.
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Place the shrub in the planting hole and backfill with the compost-soil mix. Tamp the mix firmly around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
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Give your holly 2 to 3 gallons of water after planting. As the water drains, the soil will further settle around the roots causing a depression around the base of the plant. Add more compost-soil mix around the base of the plant if this happens.
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Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch around your holly shrub. Pull the mulch 1 to 2 inches away from the base of the shrub to prevent damage to the trunk.
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Tips & Warnings
Hollies are dioecious. This means hollies are either male or female. If you want berries you will need to plant female hollies with a male pollinator.
Hollies will die if planted in compacted, heavy or water-logged soils. Add plenty of compost or well rotted manure to lighten the soil and improve drainage.
