How to Care for Dwarf Holly Shrubs

Dwarf holly shrubs are favored landscape additions for foundation planting, edging a garden path or as a backdrop to floral plantings. Dwarf holly shrubs are fast growing, disease resistant and drought tolerant. They will flourish in your garden with minimal care.

Things You'll Need

• Organic compost
• Leaf mulch
• Garden gloves
• Shovel
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Test the soil. Take a soil sample to your garden center supply store or local county extension office to evaluate the nutrient content of the soil

2. Amend the soil. Soil lacking in iron will benefit from a liberal application of bone meal. Sprinkle around the base of the shrub, following package directions.

3. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic compost to the base of the shrub.

4. Cover the compost layer with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch. Straw, aged non-treated sawdust, shredded newspaper or torn strips of cardboard may be used.

5. Top dress the mulch layer with 1 to 2 inches of pine bark or decorative pebbles. The layers of compost and mulch will help retain moisture and control weeds as they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.

6. Prune to maintain shape and conformity by removing any dead or damaged branches. Do no remove healthy top growth except for minor shaping.

References

• Prepare Trees and Shrubs for Winter
• Fall Planting of Trees and Shrubs