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Nellie Stevens Holly

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Planting & Care

Nellie Stevens Holly Planting Instructions:

  1. Site Selection & Soil Preparation: Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Nellie Stevens Holly prefers full sun for the best growth and berry production but can tolerate some shade. The tree adapts to a range of soil types, but it thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Dig a hole slightly shallower than the root ball and twice as wide. Mound the soil in the bottom of the hole so that the root ball sits about 1-2 inches above ground level to help with drainage and prevent water from pooling around the roots.
  2. Spacing & Mulching: If planting for privacy, space trees 5-6 feet apart for a dense hedge. For individual trees, allow 12-15 feet between them for their mature spread. After planting, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulching helps retain moisture, regulates soil temperature, and discourages weeds.
  3. Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil. During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Good soil drainage is essential to prevent root rot.

Nellie Stevens Holly Care Instructions:

  1. Watering During Establishment: For the first year, maintain consistent watering to help the tree establish strong roots. Water deeply once a week, more frequently during hot, dry spells. After the first year, Nellie Stevens Holly becomes more drought-tolerant but still benefits from occasional watering during extended dry periods.
  2. Fertilization: Feed your Nellie Stevens Holly in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, to promote healthy growth and berry production. Fertilize again in mid-summer if needed. Avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of berries.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Nellie Stevens Holly is relatively pest-resistant, but it can occasionally attract scale, spider mites, or leaf spot. Regularly check the leaves for any signs of pests or discoloration. If necessary, treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overwatering will help prevent most fungal issues.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care:

  1. Pruning: Nellie Stevens Holly benefits from light pruning to maintain its shape and size. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation. This holly can be shaped into a hedge, tree form, or kept as a natural, pyramid shape. If grown as a hedge, trim 2-3 times a year for a formal look, especially in spring and late summer.
  2. Watering and Drought Tolerance: Once established, Nellie Stevens Holly is moderately drought-tolerant but will perform best with occasional deep watering, especially during hot, dry summers. Make sure to water during dry periods in late fall to help the tree through the winter.
  3. Winter Care: Nellie Stevens Holly is hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and can tolerate cold winters. While it’s evergreen, cold winds can sometimes dry out its foliage, causing leaf burn. To prevent this, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree in late fall and consider wrapping young plants in burlap in exposed locations.
  4. Berry Production: For the best berry production, plant at least one male holly (such as a 'Southern Gentleman' Holly) nearby. Although Nellie Stevens Holly is partially self-pollinating, having a male holly within 30-50 feet will increase the yield of red berries in the fall and winter, which attract birds and add ornamental value to your landscape.

By following these care tips, your Nellie Stevens Holly will grow into a lush, attractive landscape feature, providing year-round greenery and vibrant red berries!

Dense, evergreen foliage: Features glossy, dark green leaves year-round, perfect for privacy screens or hedges.

Bright red berries: Produces vibrant red berries in fall and winter, adding seasonal color and attracting wildlife.

Fast-growing and hardy: Grows quickly with minimal care, thriving in various soil types and climates.

Description

The Perfect Evergreen Holly for Privacy, Beauty, and Easy Landscaping

The Nellie Stevens Holly is a versatile, fast-growing evergreen known for its dense foliage, vibrant red berries, and natural pyramid shape. As one of the best privacy hedges available, this holly shrub provides year-round greenery and can quickly create a lush, living privacy screen. With its deep green leaves, striking red winter berries, and low-maintenance care requirements, the Nellie Stevens Holly is an excellent choice for homeowners looking to enhance their landscape’s beauty while adding functionality. Whether used as a hedge, border plant, or ornamental accent, this hardy shrub delivers stunning results with minimal effort.

Key Features:

  • Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge: Grows up to 2-3 feet per year, quickly filling in to create a dense, natural privacy screen.
  • Year-Round Color: Glossy, deep green leaves provide evergreen beauty all year, while bright red berries appear in fall and last through winter.
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9, making it perfect for a wide range of climates.
  • Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care, making it an easy option for busy homeowners.
  • Pest and Disease Resistant: Naturally resistant to common pests and diseases, ensuring healthy growth with little intervention.

Ideal for Privacy Screens and Ornamental Landscaping

The Nellie Stevens Holly can be used as a tree or shrub, and is one of the best choices for creating a thick, green privacy screen. Its fast-growing nature and dense foliage mean you can enjoy the benefits of a natural hedge in just a few seasons, blocking unwanted views, noise, or wind. In addition to its practical use as a privacy hedge, Nellie Stevens Holly is also a standout in ornamental landscaping. Its glossy, dark green leaves contrast beautifully with its vibrant red berries in the fall and winter, adding color and interest when most other plants have gone dormant.

This shrub’s pyramidal shape and height (growing 15-25 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide) make it perfect for lining property edges, driveways, or creating focal points in your landscape design. It can also be pruned and shaped to suit your aesthetic preferences, whether you prefer a formal, manicured look or a more natural appearance.

Easy to Grow and Care For

The Nellie Stevens Holly Shrub is not only beautiful but also incredibly easy to grow and care for. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, making it suitable for most landscapes. Once established, this shrub is relatively drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance beyond occasional watering and pruning to maintain its shape. Thanks to its natural pest and disease resistance, it stays healthy with minimal effort, making it a top choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike.

Growing Tips:

  • Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, though full sun promotes the best berry production.
  • Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish. Once mature, it’s drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering.
  • Soil: Adapts to a range of soil types but prefers well-draining soil for optimal growth.
  • Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage vigorous growth.
  • Pruning: Light pruning in early spring or fall helps maintain its desired shape and size.

Beautiful Red Berries for Year-Round Interest

One of the standout features of the Nellie Stevens Holly Tree is its vibrant red berries, which appear in the fall and last through winter. These berries not only add a pop of color to your winter landscape but also attract birds, making your yard a haven for wildlife during the colder months. The contrast between the bright red berries and the shrub’s deep green leaves creates a stunning display that brightens your yard when most other plants have lost their leaves.

Why Buy from Nationwide Plants?

At Nationwide Plants, we take pride in offering high-quality, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in your landscape. Our Nellie Stevens Hollies are expertly grown and shipped fresh to ensure they establish quickly and provide fast-growing beauty and privacy. With our fast shipping and detailed planting instructions, you can plant with confidence and enjoy the benefits of this exceptional evergreen shrub in no time.

Create a Lush, Private Oasis with the Nellie Stevens Holly Shrub

The Nellie Stevens Holly is the perfect solution for homeowners looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance privacy screen or add year-round color and texture to their landscape. Whether you're lining your property, creating a focal point, or adding vibrant winter interest, this fast-growing shrub will exceed your expectations with its hardiness and beauty.

Order your Nellie Stevens Holly today and discover this low-maintenance evergreen. Ideal for privacy hedges or landscape accents. Fast and Free Shipping, Year-Round Beauty.

The Nellie Stevens Holly thrives in Zones 6-9

Growing Zones for the Nellie Stevens Holly

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Nellie Stevens Holly.

 Growing Zones 6-9
Mature Height 15-25 ft.
Mature Width 6-10 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'
The Nellie Stevens Holly thrives in Zones 6-9
Growing Zones for the Nellie Stevens Holly
If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Nellie Stevens Holly.
Growing Zones 6-9
Mature Height 15-25 ft.
Mature Width 6-10 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'
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