Holly Red Robin

It grows fast, adding 12 to 24 inches a year once established, so it is easy to build good-sized sturdy hedges in just a few years, and 20 feet is often reached in 10 years. The foliage is a rich, deep green, with leaves 2½ to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide.

What is the fastest growing holly tree?

The fastest growing holly tree is the Nellie Stevens holly. As mentioned, the Nellie Stevens Holly grows about 3 feet per year. Compared to the American Holly and the Dragon Lady Holly, which both usually only grow a few inches each year, the Nellie Stevens holly grows very quickly.

Does Robin holly need pollinators?

Robin™ Red Holly Shrub Pollination This holly is a female-only cultivar only and will not need a male holly in order to produce berries. One holly will produce berries, but will still benefit from other hollies planted nearby.

What are red hollies?

A colorful female hybrid, abundantly clothed in lustrous, maroon-red new foliage in spring and clusters of bright red ornamental berries in fall. The spiny evergreen foliage turns a rich, dark green as it matures, densely cloaking the upright, pyramidal form year-round.

What is the life expectancy of a holly bush?

The Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around 30-50 feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to 100 years or longer.

Do holly bushes stay green all winter?

Holly bushes are eye-catching for the bright red or dark red berries they produce, as well as their spiny evergreen leaves, which stay green year-round.

Where is the best place to plant a holly tree?

Holly bushes do best in well-drained, moderately acidic soil, in full sun. They don't like to be transplanted, so think carefully about where you'll plant.

How long does it take holly tree to establish?

Plant Type:	Ornamental evergreen shrub or tree	White/bright or dark green (red, sometimes yellow/orange berries)
Exposure:	Full sun to part shade	3.5-6.5
Time to Maturity:	5-10 years	Well-draining
Spacing:	10-20 feet	Low
Planting Depth:	Depth of root ball	Birds, squirrels, other small mammals

How much space does a holly tree need?

These hollies can be up to 500 feet apart – although 300 to 400 feet is typically recommended. Winterberry (deciduous) holly need to be closer than evergreen holly. You'll want to plant 1 male for every 5 to 10 females. Plant the male holly within 50 feet of the female holly.

Do holly bushes have invasive roots?

The root system is a taproot. This means holly bushes have one large root that grows straight down and then smaller, less hearty roots that spread out. The horizontal roots are responsible for gathering the majority of the nutrients needed to flourish. This type of root system can be invasive.

What is the hardiest holly?

If you are looking for zone 5 holly shrubs in this group, consider the blue holly cultivars 'Blue Prince' and 'Blue Princess'. They are the most cold-hardy of the series. Other Meserve hybrids that can serve the landscape well include China Boy and China Girl.

Are holly bushes low maintenance?

They don't mind sun, but they'll tolerate quite a bit of shade, especially in warmer regions of the country. In the north, hollies get their best flowers and fruit set in sun. Hollies are slow growing, which makes them an excellent low-maintenance shrub.

What are the negative effects of holly?

The leaves can cause side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach and intestinal problems. Swallowing holly leaf spines may tear or puncture the inside of the mouth and other parts of the digestive tract. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Holly berries are UNSAFE to eat while pregnant or breast-feeding.

What is the best holly plant?

Here are 10 attractive hollies to grow.

• Ilex aquifolium.
• Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata'
• Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen'
• Ilex aquifolium 'Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata'
• Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Mermaid'
• Ilex x koehneana 'Chestnut Leaf'
• Ilex aquifolium 'Hascombensis'
• Ilex x altaclerensis 'Belgica Aurea'

What is the best holly for a hedge?

Holly Varieties for Hedges and Screens Tight growers such as Japanese hollies and Meserve hollies (also known as blue hollies) make good hedges. As do English hollies, whose spiny leaves provide a useful barrier. For a thick, dense hedge, prune regularly.

Will holly grow if cut back?

The received wisdom is to prune stems rather than leaves, and to do this as close to a flowering bus as possible. Doing so will encourage the bud to grow, and is the quickest way to facilitate new growth on your holly tree.

What can I plant next to a holly bush?

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

Will holly regrow if I cut it back?

Pruning Hollies Many holly species can grow into small trees if their growth is not curbed. If hollies become overgrown and need to be drastically reduced in size, they are tolerant of being cut back severely. In fact, a mature holly can generally be cut to the ground and will regrow vigorously from its roots.

How do you keep holly looking good?

Holly Care Tips We suggest that you keep your cut holly in a cool place, not exposed to intense heat or cold. Cut holly will last considerably longer if the stems are placed in water, similar to cut flowers. Cut holly arrangements have a water containment base. Add fresh water immediately.

How do you winterize a holly bush?

Watering Your Holly Bush in Winter Proper care includes watering well into late fall and early winter. Sufficient mulching around the base of the holly bush can help regulate water through the cold months. You'll want to mulch about 2-3 inches deep around the bare ground, avoiding mulch directly against the base.