- Water holly regularly in spring and summer, providing about 1 inch of water every week when it doesn't rain.
- Spread 1 to 2 inches of compost under the plant every spring. ...
- Feed "Nellie R. Stevens" holly every fall. Apply an acid-based fertilizer formulated for evergreens, according to the instructions on the label.
- Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch after applying fertilizer in fall. ...
- Prune lightly to maintain the plant's pyramidal shape, as "Nellie R. Stevens" holly generally requires no drastic pruning.
How do you propagate Nellie R Stevens Holly?
Nellie R. Stevens holly is most commonly used as a specimen tree or massed in a hedge to form a " living wall " that functions as a privacy screen. When it is to be treated as a specimen tree, purchase the tree form. If you're seeking to propagate your Nellie R. Stevens, use semi-ripe cuttings you've gathered in the summer or early fall.
How do you take care of Nellie Stevens Holly?
An organic mulch, such as dry, chopped leaves or fine bark chips, adds nutrients to the soil, maintains an even soil temperature and helps control weeds. Prune lightly to maintain the plant's pyramidal shape, as "Nellie R. Stevens" holly generally requires no drastic pruning.
How do you fertilize holly shrubs?
Replace the mulch and water slowly and deeply after applying the fertilizer. Slow watering allows the fertilizer to sink into the soil rather than running off. When to Feed Holly Shrubs. The optimum times for holly fertilization are spring and fall. Fertilize in spring just as the shrubs begin to put on new growth.
What is a Nellie Stevens Holly plant?
The Nellie Stevens holly plant is a hybrid of Ilex cornuta and Ilex aquifolium. It has an interesting back story and an even more interesting growth form. Hollies are timeless classics that make a large impact on the landscape with very little special care required.
See more
When should I fertilize Nellie Stevens holly?
springFeed your Nellie Stevens Holly tree in early spring with a balanced slow release fertilizer or for soils that may need an acidic boost try Espoma Holly-Tone. Apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch extending out a few inches farther than the root zone. Mulch will help keep the soil moist and reduce hand watering needs.
What is the best fertilizer for holly trees?
Fertilizing Holly Bushes Compost or well-rotted livestock manure makes excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice.
How do you take care of Nellie Stevens holly?
How to Grow Nellie Stevens Holly. This holly is very adaptable to either full sun or partial shade locations. It is resistant to deer and rabbits and will develop drought tolerance with maturity. The tree even thrives in poor soil and doesn't mind mild neglect, though plants prefer slightly acidic well-drained soil.
What causes yellow leaves on Nellie Stevens holly?
This is caused by an iron deficiency. I would first have the soil tested for the pH level. Hollies prefer the pH to be in the 4.5-6.0 range. If the pH is off the plant cannot absorb the iron in the soil, as well as other nutrients.
Can you put Miracle Grow on holly bushes?
Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Miracid® Acid-Loving Plant Food is great for use on Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias, Hibiscus, Holly, Hydrangeas, Orchids, and many others.
Are coffee grounds good for holly trees?
It is well known that holly plants love acidic soil. Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of Holly Shrubs and Holly Trees for dense foliage growth and improved berry production.
How do you thicken holly bushes?
One trick I've found to "densen up" hollies is shearing. Hollies are good at pushing out new leaf buds even when you cut back into bare wood. The cuts often stimulate new growth from multiple buds, giving the plant a fuller habit as the new leaves grow.
How do you make holly grow faster?
To influence the growth of these beautiful, fast-growing holly trees, plant them in full sun to partial shade and in moist, well-drained soil. You can also use well-rotted manure or broadleaf evergreen fertilizer to encourage growth.
How can I make my hollies grow faster?
3:154:47How to grow Nellie Steven's Holly with planting and care instructionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhile you're trying to get a lot of growth on them and create a nice screening plant you probablyMoreWhile you're trying to get a lot of growth on them and create a nice screening plant you probably want to do additional fertilizing not just in the early spring.
Why is my holly bush leaves turning yellow and falling off?
Yellow leaves on holly trees is a fairly common problem for gardeners. On a holly, yellow leaves typically indicates an iron deficiency, also known as iron chlorosis. When a holly plant does not get enough iron, the plant cannot produce chlorophyll and you get yellow leaves on your holly bush.
How do you treat yellow leaves on a holly tree?
Treatment. Hollies with chlorosis can be treated by regular fall feedings of acid-loving tree-and-shrub fertilizer, according to label instructions. For a shot in the arm, spray with chelated iron, which turns leaves green quickly. Scratch iron sulphate into the soil for a long-term solution.
How do you know when a holly tree is dying?
One way to tell whether a branch is alive is to gently scratch a small nick in the bark with your thumbnail. If you see a green layer beneath the outer bark, the branch still is alive. Although it may drop its damaged leaves, it will flush new ones in the spring.
Who discovered the Holly plant?
The plant was finally discovered by Nellie Steven’s niece who took seeds to the Holly Society annual meeting for identification. The plant couldn’t be identified and a new species was named.
What is a holly?
Hollies are timeless classics that make a large impact on the landscape with very little special care required. These easy-to-grow plants provide cover and food for birds and natural holiday décor for the home. Nellie Stevens is a happy accident between a Chinese holly and an English holly. It was grown from berries filched by Nellie Stevens in the early 1900s. The resulting plant was almost removed in a home remodel in 1952 but was subsequently saved.
What is a holly tree?
Their ease of care makes them popular choices for gardeners in temperate to warm ranges. Growing Nellie Stevens holly trees provides you with one of the fastest growing of the hollies with branches packed with berries. The Nellie Stevens holly plant is a hybrid of Ilex cornuta and Ilex aquifolium. It has an interesting back story and an even more interesting growth form.
How big does a holly tree grow?
Among this plant’s many attributes is its natural pyramidal form. It can grow up to 25 feet (7.5 m.) when mature and is one of the heaviest bearing of the hollies.
Can holly trees survive in shade?
This holly is very adaptable to either full sun or partial shade locations. It is resistant to deer and rabbits and will develop drought tolerance with maturity. The tree even thrives in poor soil and doesn’t mind mild neglect, though plants prefer slightly acidic well-drained soil.
Is Nelly Stevens poisonous?
Many gardeners may wonder, “Are Nelly Stevens berries poisonous?”. Berries and leaves can be dangerous to small children and pets, so some caution should be used. Fortunately, the plant takes to shearing quite well and, although it forms a lovely shape naturally, pruning can help minimize berries at the lower heights.
Fertilizing Holly Bushes
Gardeners have lots of options when choosing a holly plant fertilizer. Compost or well-rotted livestock manure makes excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice.
How to Fertilize Holly
Pull back the mulch and apply the fertilizer directly to the soil around the holly. If you are using a complete fertilizer with a nitrogen content of eight to ten percent, use one-half pound (0.25 kg.) of fertilizer for each half-inch (1 cm.) of trunk diameter.
When to Feed Holly Shrubs
The optimum times for holly fertilization are spring and fall. Fertilize in spring just as the shrubs begin to put on new growth. Wait until growth stops for fall fertilization.
How do I keep holly trees healthy in the winter?
To conserve moisture throughout the growing season and suppress weed growth, I also always apply a 1 to 2" layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around holly trees in late winter. As the mulch decomposes it will add vital nutrients to the soil that your trees will appreciate.
What is the pH of a Holly tree?
Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. Holly trees prefer an acid to neutral soil ranging from 5.0 to 7.0 on the pH scale. Once you know the soil pH, if necessary, you can adjust it to meet the needs of your tree. Testing Soil pH.
How deep do holly trees grow?
The root system of a holly tree might grow 2 feet deep but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots.
How to keep a plant from drying out?
At planting time. Water deeply at planting time, making sure the soil around the root ball and the root ball itself is moist all the way down to its base. Then, each day thereafter, check the soil moisture and only provide water if the soil has dried out somewhat or is just lightly damp. After several days of checking soil moisture you should ...
Do holly trees need water?
During the cooler winter months holly trees won't require as much attention to watering. Provide water only if necessary to keep the soil damp. At planting time. When planted during the winter, deep soak the soil and the root ball after planting.
Do you have to water a Holly tree?
However, in average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted holly tree every day. More often than not, this causes constantly wet soil conditions that can lead to root rot. In the absence of sufficient rainfall water only as needed to keep the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist.
Is it better to soak Holly trees?
Keep in mind that deep soaking less frequently is much better than splashing just a little water around the tree every day. Deep soaking promotes deep root growth and can reduce water loss by evaporation. Thereafter. When established, Holly trees are quite drought tolerant.
