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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 Nellie Stevens Holly for years to come!
How do I plant a Nellie Stevens Holly?
To plant a Nellie Stevens Holly, begin by selecting a location that receives full sun to partial shade, as this tree grows best in areas with plenty of light to encourage dense foliage and vibrant berry production. Nellie Stevens Holly prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but it can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. Start by digging a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the root ball itself to give the roots room to spread comfortably. Position the tree in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. This helps prevent root rot, which can occur if the tree is planted too deeply. Backfill with a mix of native soil and organic compost, and gently firm the soil around the base of the tree to eliminate air pockets. Once the tree is planted, water it thoroughly to help establish good root-to-soil contact. After planting, mulching around the base of the Nellie Stevens Holly is important to maintain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips, around the base, making sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot. Water your newly planted Nellie Stevens Holly consistently for the first year to help it establish a strong root system. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. If you're planting multiple Nellie Stevens Hollies to create a privacy hedge, space them about 5 to 6 feet apart to allow enough room for each tree to grow while ensuring the hedge fills in fully. With proper planting and early care, your Nellie Stevens Holly will grow into a beautiful, dense evergreen, providing year-round greenery, privacy, and seasonal interest with its striking red berries.
How do I water my Nellie Stevens Holly Tree?
Watering your Nellie Stevens Holly tree correctly is essential to support healthy growth, vibrant green foliage, and the development of its signature red berries. During the first year after planting, it is crucial to water deeply and consistently to establish a strong root system. Aim to water the tree once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions, ensuring that the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper, making the tree more resilient to drought as it matures. The best way to water is by using a soaker hose or drip irrigation, which helps deliver moisture directly to the root zone while avoiding wetting the leaves, which can lead to fungal issues. Watering early in the morning is ideal, as it allows moisture to absorb before the heat of the day. Once your Nellie Stevens Holly tree is established, it becomes relatively drought-tolerant, but it still benefits from supplemental watering during extended periods of dry or hot weather. Regularly check the soil moisture, and if the top few inches feel dry to the touch, it's time to water again. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree can help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition, all of which contribute to the tree's health. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and pests. Proper watering practices will ensure that your Nellie Stevens Holly thrives, producing dense, green foliage and bright red berries, making it an attractive addition to your landscape all year round.
How do I Fertilize a Nellie Stevens Holly Tree?
Fertilizing your Nellie Stevens Holly tree is important for promoting healthy growth, dense foliage, and the production of vibrant red berries. The best time to fertilize Nellie Stevens Holly is in early spring, just before new growth begins, to provide the nutrients necessary for a strong growing season. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or a 16-4-8 blend, which provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen encourages lush leaf growth, phosphorus supports root development, and potassium helps with overall plant health. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the drip line of the tree, avoiding direct contact with the trunk to prevent root burn. After applying the fertilizer, water thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the root zone effectively. In addition to using chemical fertilizers, applying organic compost around the base of the Nellie Stevens Holly tree can also improve soil quality and provide a slow, steady release of nutrients. Organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips, will further benefit the tree by conserving moisture and regulating soil temperature as it decomposes, adding nutrients back into the soil. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive, leggy growth, making the tree more susceptible to pests and disease. Typically, fertilizing once a year in early spring is sufficient, but if your soil is particularly poor, you may consider applying a light feeding in mid-summer to boost growth. With proper fertilization, your Nellie Stevens Holly will grow into a dense, lush tree with dark green foliage and abundant berries that will enhance your landscape year-round.
How do I Prune Nellie Stevens Holly Trees?
Pruning your Nellie Stevens Holly tree is essential for maintaining its attractive shape, promoting healthy growth, and encouraging a fuller, denser appearance. The best time to prune Nellie Stevens Holly is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins, allowing the tree to recover quickly and produce lush foliage. Begin by using clean, sharp pruning shears to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as this will improve the tree's overall health and reduce the risk of pests and disease. Additionally, remove any branches that are crossing or growing inward to maintain an open structure and prevent overcrowding. This also helps to enhance air circulation and light penetration, which are important for the health of the foliage. Throughout the growing season, you can perform light pruning to maintain the desired size and shape of your Nellie Stevens Holly tree. To keep a dense and uniform appearance, trim back any long, stray branches that may disrupt the natural form of the tree. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the older, woody growth, as holly trees do not regenerate well from old wood, and over-pruning can lead to sparse areas. If you're maintaining a Nellie Stevens Holly hedge, regular trimming will help keep it at the desired height and ensure the hedge remains thick and lush. With consistent and proper pruning, your Nellie Stevens Holly will retain its elegant, conical shape, showcasing glossy green leaves and vibrant red berries that enhance your landscape year-round.
