American Holly Hedge

Growth Rate This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

How big do American holly bushes get?

While the American holly normally grows between 15 and 25 feet, it can reach heights of up to 60 feet when grown in a sufficiently moist location. Its trunk can reach a diameter of 20 inches.

Does holly make a good hedge?

So whether you want a practical hedge with screening properties, beautiful foliage, year round cover, seasonal interest or to utilise as an effective addition to a garden design or mixed hedgerow and will thrive in difficult conditions, Holly is the perfect hardy hedge plant for you.

Are American holly roots invasive?

American Holly is ideal for use as a street or courtyard tree (with lower branches removed), framing tree, specimen, barrier planting or screen. Roots are shallow and finely branched, and rarely invasive due to their great number and relatively small diameter.

Is American holly a good tree?

American holly trees are terrific landscape plants. They are great for habitat, too. The dense foliage provides cover for small critters and the berries provide food for many birds. The most important note of American holly information is that these trees are dioecious, meaning these plants are either male or female.

How do I keep my American holly small?

You can maintain the height by pruning back the leader (main shoot) each year in late winter or early spring. (Your current timing is fine.) You can even reduce the size by cutting back the leader to just above an existing branch lower on the tree.

Does American holly keep its leaves in winter?

There's not a lot of color outdoors in winter, but the American holly (Ilex opaca) will bring you both green and red – just in time for the holidays. It's an evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves year-round, so you'll always have some green in your yard.

Where is the best place to plant a holly bush?

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.

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.

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.

Which holly is best 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.

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.

Can American holly be planted close to house?

One of the best ways to use American holly is to plant it as a hedge, border, or natural fence around your house. Not only will you have privacy – and a bit of protection from intruders, thanks to those spiny leaves – but you'll also get to look at the bright clusters of berries every fall and winter.

Do birds eat American holly?

Holly and Cedar Berries an Important Food for Overwintering Birds.

What's the difference between American holly and English holly?

English holly (I. aquifolium) — This species is smaller than the American holly, topping out at around 35 feet. It has glossy, spiny leaves as opposed to the larger, duller, non-glossy foliage of the American holly. The leaves on both species have very sharp thorn-like spines on their margins.

Is American holly toxic to dogs?

Shrubs That Are Poisonous to Dogs Holly: Varieties include American holly, English holly, Japanese holly, and Christmas holly. Although some are less toxic than others, it is best to keep your dog away from any variety.

Do I need 2 holly bushes?

Yes, almost always. Holly is Dioecious. Dioecious means that they belong to a group of plants that have both male and female flowers. This means that a male plant is necessary to produce berries on the female.

How do you grow an American holly hedge?

American Holly Care

1. Light. American holly will grow nicely in most full sun to part shade locations.
2. Soil. Give this plant a well-drained, acidic soil. ...
3. Water. American holly needs to be kept moist while it getting established, but after the first year or so, watering once a week (about 1 inch) is sufficient. ...
4. Fertilizer.

Can you top a American holly?

ANSWER: It's better not to remove the top of a tree. Cutting off the central leader encourages branching that produces an abnormally shaped tree. The upper branches of a tree may be several feet apart.

Can you hard prune American holly?

Hollies are very tolerant of pruning, a characteristic that makes them good candidates for topiaries. And theoretically, most will recover from a hard cutback at almost any time of year.