Asked by: Crispiniano Smallwood
home and garden landscaping

Does Holly grow fast?

10
Regardless of its proximity to others in the species, Nellie Stevens Hollies are considered fast-growing trees, and they can grow as much as 3 feet a year. This is much higher than other trees, which can grow as little as 6 inches in a given growing season.


Considering this, how big do holly bushes get?

Some holly bushes grow to about 6 feet tall, while others can reach 50 feet and higher! Make sure you choose a plant that's the right size for your landscape — and that will thrive in your climate. The quintessential Christmas variety, for example, is English holly, which grows best in Zone 6.

Similarly, how high does a holly tree grow? It occurs from sea level to more than 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) with high mountain species. It is a genus of small, evergreen trees with smooth, glabrous, or pubescent branchlets. The plants are generally slow-growing with some species growing to 25 m (82 ft) tall.

how fast is Holly UK?

It can take up to 20 -25 years for a Holly Shrub or Tree to reach maturity and full size. Slow growing can also be an advantage.

What is the best time of year to trim holly bushes?

Wait until dormancy for heavy pruning or simply trim as needed for shape. Japanese hollies can also be pruned as needed in midsummer or late winter. If pruning for hedges, late spring is a good time for trimming holly bushes.

Related Question Answers

Rusi Adorno

Professional

Do you need two holly bushes to get berries?

No, all holly bushes do not have berries. Hollies are dioecious, meaning that they need male and female plants in order to produce seeds, which are what berries are. So only female holly bushes will have the red berries.

Sawsan Petermuller

Professional

How deep do holly tree roots go?

Keep the roots of larger plants intact in a ball of soil, and covered with burlap to retain moisture and provide protection. Pruning the lateral roots of small holly trees to a depth of 2 to 4 feet in the year prior to transplanting encourages healthy new growth of these roots to sustain the plant in its new location.

Hassen Istrate

Professional

How can you tell a male from a female holly tree?

Generally, all females produce berries. Males do not. If you find a plant with berries, it's usually safe to say that it is female. The best way to determine the sex of holly plants is by examining the flowers, which are located between the leaf and branch joint.

Loyda Frantz

Explainer

How many holly berries will kill you?

Holly - Poisonous
A child can eat 1-2 holly berries (Ilex sp.) without harm, but around 20 berries can cause death, so eating holly berries is a serious concern for children and pets. Though the berries are the part that is most commonly eaten, the bark, leaves, and seeds are toxic.

Grober Gompers

Explainer

How often should you trim holly bushes?

Hedging Hollies
Holly hedges may need trimming anywhere from once per week to once per month, depending in the growth rate of the plant and the preferences of each gardener. Typically, after 2 to 4 inches of new growth has occurred, the shrubs are sheared again.

Bianka Grasselli

Explainer

How do you make Holly grow faster?

Hollies are easy to grow – they will grow in sun or partial shade, and prefer moist but well drained soil. The variegated varieties keep their colours better in full sun. Hollies can be grown as specimen plants in a lawn, or in a mixed or shrub border, and some make excellent hedges – great for garden security.

Yusimi Zulaibar

Pundit

When should I feed my holly bush?

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.

Heiner Jarosova

Pundit

How quick does Holly grow?

Holly are relatively slow growing and they will put on around 6-9 inches of growth each year if left untrimmed and can take a while to fill out into a dense hedge.

Sorina Grao

Pundit

Can you grow Holly in pots?

Holly trees growing in pots appreciate a moist, but well-drained soil. Optionally, you can also add 10 to 20% some pumice or perlite to the soil mixture to help with drainage. Choose a container that is large enough to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before shifting up to a larger size container.

Nato Feltens

Pundit

Jhonnatan Bogensperger

Pundit

How do you shape a holly tree?

Cut back one-third of the oldest and tallest stems of your holly tree to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground in early spring. Choose stems that are evenly spaced throughout the tree to prevent a lopsided look. Prune an additional one-third of the stems back the following spring.

Patrik Lagomazzini

Teacher

How do you take care of a holly tree?

Planting and Growing Conditions
  1. Light: Holly plants to best in full sun.
  2. Soil: Well drained loamy soil that is slightly acidic.
  3. Water: Hollies like a moderate amount of water, usually adequately provided by rainfall.
  4. Mulch: Several inches of mulch to prevent freeze-thaw damage to the shallow roots.

Philomena Idrissi

Teacher

Can humans eat holly berries?

Holly leaves, branches and berries are beautiful holiday decorations, but the berries are poisonous to people and pets. Swallowing holly berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and drowsiness. Holly leaves might also cause symptoms if eaten but, because they are prickly, children usually leave them alone.

Jianqun Corte

Teacher

What can I plant next to Holly?

A few common holly companions for planting next to the shrubs include boxwood, viburnum, clematis, hydrangea, and rhododendrons.

Malka Granelas

Teacher

How close do you plant male and female holly?

Plant one male holly for every 10 or so female plants and within 30 feet or so of the females. Alternately, plant hollies in measured rows, making every third one or so male, and offset males in neighboring rows.

Pansy Happe

Reviewer

Is holly native to Britain?

Female flowers develop into rich red berries, which remain on the tree throughout winter. Holly is native to the UK. Holly branches have been used for many years to decorate homes in winter. Holly leaves are deep green and glossy with sharp spikes.

Oskar Lindthaler

Reviewer

What are the fastest growing trees for privacy?

What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.

Audelino Ruiz De Arbulo

Reviewer

Where does Holly grow best?

The best location for planting holly bushes is in well-drained but not dry, slightly acidic soil in full sun. That being said, most hollies are very tolerant of less than ideal locations and will grow well in part shade or dry or swampy soil.

Mamia Aletsee

Reviewer

Why do holly trees die?

The browned leaves and dead branches are the result of winter injury, likely sustained during the very cold temperatures we had back in January. Broad-leaved evergreens, such as hollies or rhododendrons, are particularly susceptible to damage. Warm spells in late winter can also injure plants.