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Nellie Stevens Holly
Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens'
Nellie Stevens Holly is valued for its fast-growing, dense foliage, making it ideal for creating privacy hedges and windbreaks in any landscape. Its glossy green leaves and bright red berries provide year-round beauty, while its deer-resistant and low-maintenance nature makes it a perfect choice for easy-care gardens.
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Nellie Stevens Holly Trees for Sale Online
Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens') is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub known for its dense, pyramidal shape and vibrant, glossy green foliage. This holly variety is ideal for creating privacy hedges and windbreaks or as a standout specimen plant in the landscape. It reaches heights of 15-25 feet and spreads 8-12 feet wide, making it a perfect choice for both large and small spaces. In addition to its attractive foliage, Nellie Stevens Holly produces bright red berries in fall and winter, adding year-round interest and providing food for birds and other wildlife.
Not only is Nellie Stevens Holly prized for its beauty, but it’s also highly adaptable and easy to grow. This hardy holly thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor or dry soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. Its natural dense growth habit provides excellent screening and privacy, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking for a low-maintenance solution to block noise and wind or create a green barrier.
Nellie Stevens Holly is also deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes in regions where deer browsing is a concern. Its year-round foliage, combined with its bright red berries, ensures that your garden remains colorful and vibrant throughout the winter months. Whether used as a privacy hedge, a focal point in the garden, or as part of a mixed border, Nellie Stevens Holly adds structure, color, and elegance to any outdoor space.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 15 to 20 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 10 to 15 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
| Foliage Color: | Dark green |
| Growth Form: | Upright pyramidal |
| Soil Conditions: | Very tolerant of most soil conditions |
How to Care for Nellie Stevens Holly
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
How do I plant a Nellie Stevens Holly?
To plant a Nellie Stevens Holly, begin by choosing a location that offers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Start by digging a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball, ensuring the plant has enough space to establish strong roots. Place the holly in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with a mix of native soil and organic compost to help retain moisture and provide nutrients. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Spacing the plants 5-6 feet apart will create a dense privacy hedge, while spacing further apart allows for a more open growth habit. After planting, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the Nellie Stevens Holly to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Water the newly planted holly regularly during the first growing season to ensure the roots establish properly, especially during dry spells. Once established, Nellie Stevens Holly becomes more drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering. With proper care, this fast-growing holly will develop into a beautiful, dense hedge or focal point in your landscape.
How often do I water my Nellie Stevens Holly Tree?
When first planted, Nellie Stevens Holly requires regular watering to help establish a strong root system. Water the tree deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. In hotter climates or during periods of drought, you may need to water more frequently to prevent the roots from drying out. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree helps retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering. Once established, Nellie Stevens Holly becomes more drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering. Typically, watering once every 10-14 days is sufficient during dry periods. Be sure to check the soil before watering, as overwatering can lead to root rot. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent waterlogged conditions. Proper watering is essential to maintaining the tree’s dense, vibrant foliage and promoting healthy growth year-round.
What type of fertilizer is best for a Nellie Stevens Holly Tree?
The best fertilizer for a Nellie Stevens Holly Tree is a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with a formulation like 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. This type of fertilizer provides the essential nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—needed to promote healthy growth, vibrant foliage, and abundant berry production. Apply the fertilizer in early spring, just as new growth begins, spreading it evenly around the base of the tree, extending slightly beyond the drip line. Water thoroughly after fertilizing to help the nutrients absorb into the soil. This annual feeding will support robust growth and maintain the tree's rich green color throughout the year. If your Nellie Stevens Holly is planted in poor or nutrient-depleted soil, you may consider adding an additional light application of fertilizer in late summer. However, avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth and weaken the plant. Organic compost or well-rotted manure can also be used to improve soil quality while providing a slow, steady release of nutrients. Proper fertilization ensures that your Nellie Stevens Holly remains healthy, dense, and attractive, making it a standout in your landscape whether used as a hedge, screen, or focal point.
How do I Prune Nellie Stevens Holly Trees?
To prune Nellie Stevens Holly Trees, the best time is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to improve the tree’s overall health and structure. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to trim back any wayward branches, shaping the tree to maintain its natural, dense pyramidal form. For hedges or privacy screens, prune lightly to maintain the desired height and shape without cutting into the older wood, as this can slow the plant’s ability to regenerate. In addition to annual pruning, Nellie Stevens Holly can also benefit from light trimming throughout the growing season to control its size and encourage fuller growth. Focus on thinning out crowded areas to allow light and air to reach the interior branches, which helps prevent fungal diseases. Regular pruning not only keeps the tree looking tidy but also promotes new growth and more abundant berry production in the fall. With proper pruning, your Nellie Stevens Holly will continue to thrive, offering year-round greenery and vibrant red berries in your landscape.
