How to Cut Back Holly Bushes
There are 600 species of flowering holly bushes. Before cutting back your holly bush, make sure it is one of the species that should be pruned. Chinese holly and yaupon holly grow best when they are left uncut. Japanese holly is best cut back in mid-summer and late winter, but American holly can be pruned anytime. If your holly bush is a species that should be cut back, you should only prune it to give an even shape and get rid of any dead leaves. Any pruning should only be done to enhance the natural growth of the holly bush. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Look for dead or diseased leaves. Look for dead or diseased leaves on your holly bush.
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Use pruning shears to cut back your holly bush. Cut all dead or diseased leaves from the holly branches with your pruning shears.
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The holly bush branches should be shaped from the inside out. Use your shears to shape the holly bush, cutting branches from the inside of the bush and working out. Cut unwanted smaller branches at the main branch or at the new leaf bud.
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Tips & Warnings
The upper branches should be pruned shorter than the lower branches of your holly bush.
Holly berries are toxic. Eating them can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Pruning your holly tree too heavily will result in fewer berries.
References
- Photo Credit wild holly image by Joy Prescott from Fotolia.com Holly Leaves in Winter image by Jimmi Schneider from Fotolia.com garden shears closed image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com Holly Tree image by KateC from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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I think I have 3 American Hollies one has no berries, one has yellow berries , one has red berries when is the best time to prune the hollies thank you John.
