Images Depict Mature Plants
Christmas Jewel Holly
Ilex x 'HL 10-90' PP# 14477
Christmas Jewel Holly is prized for its compact, dense form, glossy dark green leaves, and prolific bright red berries that add year-round interest and festive winter appeal. Ideal for use in hedges, foundation plantings, or as a focal point, this low-maintenance, deer-resistant holly brings beauty and seasonal cheer to any landscape.
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Christmas Jewel Holly (Ilex x ‘Christmas Jewel’) is an exceptional small evergreen tree known for its compact form, glossy dark green foliage, and abundant, bright red berries that provide a stunning holiday display. This female holly cultivar produces an abundance of berries without the need for a male pollinator, making it a reliable choice for year-round beauty and festive winter interest. The spiny, deep green leaves stay vibrant throughout the seasons, while the bright red berries appear in fall and persist well into winter, creating a striking contrast. Christmas Jewel Holly is perfect for enhancing entryways, foundation plantings, or adding seasonal cheer to your landscape.
Christmas Jewel Holly grows to a manageable size, typically reaching 8 to 10 feet in height with a width of 4 to 5 feet, making it well-suited for smaller gardens, hedges, or as a focal point in mixed borders. Thriving in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9, this holly prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts well to various soil types as long as it is well-drained. It has a naturally dense growth habit, which makes it an ideal candidate for privacy screens, windbreaks, or as a backdrop for other flowering shrubs. The berries are visually appealing and attract birds, providing a valuable food source during the colder months, thus enhancing the ecological value of your garden.
Christmas Jewel Holly is a small, low-maintenance, deer-resistant tree that requires minimal pruning to keep its naturally tidy shape. Water the tree regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system and mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Once established, this holly can tolerate brief periods of drought, making it an easy-care addition to any landscape. Whether used as a festive focal point, a foundation planting, or part of a privacy hedge, Christmas Jewel Holly will provide year-round greenery, abundant berries, and a touch of holiday magic to your garden.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 8 to 10 feet |
| Mature Width: | 4 to 5 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 Christmas Jewel Holly
Be sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep your Christmas Jewel Holly happy and Healthy for Many Years
How Do I Plant A Christmas Jewel Holly Tree?
Planting a Christmas Jewel Holly tree starts with selecting an ideal location to ensure its healthy growth and vibrant berry production. Choose a spot that provides full sun to partial shade, as Christmas Jewel Holly thrives in areas with ample light to maintain its glossy, dark green foliage and produce abundant berries. The soil should be well-drained and slightly acidic for optimal growth, so avoid areas prone to standing water. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball to give the roots plenty of space to expand. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above ground level. Backfill with a mix of native soil and organic compost, then water thoroughly to help settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. After planting your Christmas Jewel Holly, providing consistent care is crucial to establish a strong root system. Water the tree deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, depending on weather conditions, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Adding a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds, but be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. If you plan to use Christmas Jewel Holly as part of a hedge or screen, space multiple trees about 4 to 5 feet apart to allow for their mature spread. With proper planting and early care, your Christmas Jewel Holly will grow into a beautiful evergreen that provides year-round greenery and festive red berries in the winter months.
How Do I Water A Christmas Jewel Holly Tree?
Watering a Christmas Jewel Holly tree properly is essential for establishing strong roots and promoting healthy growth. During the first growing season, make sure to water deeply and consistently, approximately once or twice a week, depending on the soil and weather conditions. Deep watering encourages the roots to grow down into the soil, which helps the tree become more drought-tolerant over time. Always water at the base of the tree, ensuring the root zone is well saturated, but avoid creating standing water, as Christmas Jewel Holly prefers well-drained soil. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system can help provide a steady supply of moisture directly to the roots, reducing the risk of evaporation and promoting healthier growth. Once established, Christmas Jewel Holly is more tolerant of dry conditions, but supplemental watering is still beneficial, especially during hot, dry periods. To determine if your holly needs watering, check the top few inches of soil—if they feel dry, it's time to water thoroughly. To help maintain consistent moisture levels, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, which will also help regulate soil temperature and reduce evaporation. Be sure to keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent root rot and other issues. Proper watering practices will help your Christmas Jewel Holly remain healthy, maintain its dense, glossy green foliage, and produce abundant red berries throughout the winter months.
How Do I Fertilize A Christmas Jewel Holly Tree?
Fertilizing a Christmas Jewel Holly tree is essential for supporting its healthy growth, glossy foliage, and vibrant berry production. The best time to fertilize is in early spring, just as new growth begins, using a slow-release, balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for acid-loving plants, such as a 10-10-10 or 12-4-8 blend. This type of fertilizer provides the necessary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to encourage lush foliage and abundant berry development. Apply the fertilizer evenly around the root zone, extending out to the drip line of the tree, but make sure to keep it at least 6 inches away from the trunk to avoid root burn. After applying the fertilizer, water thoroughly to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the roots effectively. To maintain the overall health and vibrancy of your Christmas Jewel Holly, you can consider applying a second light feeding in mid-summer, particularly if your soil is sandy or lacks nutrients. You can also enrich the soil naturally by adding organic matter such as compost or well-aged manure, which improves soil structure while providing essential nutrients for sustained growth. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall, as this can encourage new growth that may not harden off before winter, making it vulnerable to cold damage. Additionally, mulching around the base of the tree with organic mulch will not only help conserve moisture but also gradually enrich the soil as it decomposes. With proper fertilization, your Christmas Jewel Holly will remain healthy, provide dense green foliage, and produce an abundance of festive red berries year after year.
How Do I Prune A Christmas Jewel Holly Tree?
Pruning a Christmas Jewel Holly tree is key to maintaining its compact, dense form and promoting healthy growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins, as this allows the tree to recover quickly and encourages vigorous new shoots. Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, cutting them back to healthy wood. This will help improve airflow throughout the tree and reduce the risk of pests or diseases. Use clean, sharp pruning shears for a precise cut, which helps the tree heal efficiently. Since Christmas Jewel Holly has a naturally symmetrical and compact shape, only light pruning is needed to keep it looking tidy and attractive. Focus on shaping the tree and maintaining its rounded form without cutting too deeply into the older wood, as holly trees do not regenerate well from mature branches. If you are using Christmas Jewel Holly as part of a hedge or screen, light pruning each year will help maintain a consistent, uniform appearance while encouraging bushier growth. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, as this can stimulate new growth that may not have time to harden off before winter, leaving it susceptible to cold damage. Additionally, you can lightly trim the tips of the branches after the tree’s spring growth flush to maintain its shape and encourage a fuller structure. Regular light pruning not only maintains the overall shape of Christmas Jewel Holly but also supports better berry production by allowing more sunlight to reach the inner branches. With the right pruning practices, your Christmas Jewel Holly tree will remain healthy, lush, and adorned with vibrant red berries that enhance your landscape throughout the year.
