Holly – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing

This plant can be sheared to a particular shape, but can also be hand pruned for a less formal look. Pruning should be done in early spring before any new growth begins. When sheared, the plant should be wider at the base than the top to help retain the lower branches. Any pruning on these plants will reduce fruit production. Pick pruning will extend the useful life of the plant by giving it a deeper “green” zone. This is done by cutting small holes in the surface of the plant, allowing more light in and new buds to form on the inside of the plant. This plant grows and develops best in acidic soil. Most of the soil, all of the rainwater and all of the ground water in southeastern Wisconsin is basic or alkaline. Therefore, for some plants to thrive, they need to have special care.

Initially, the soil the plant is installed into should be amended to make it more acidic and to increase the amount of organic matter in the soil. Over time, the soils acidity should be supplemented with an acid-based fertilizer. A liquid fertilizer, Miracid works well. This liquid fertilizer is mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). This type of fertilization should be done three or four times per year, starting in April and ending by the mid-July. Soil can also be acidified with soil sulfur, aluminum sulfate or cotton seed meal, however, these products will not fertilize the plant. Mulch is also important to acid loving plants. A 2-4″ thickness of bark or needle mulch should surround the plant at least as far out as its drip line.

These evergreens will perform well through the winter most years, and in hard winter may discolor, but will spring back in Spring. However the first few years or if they have been under stress they will benefit from some winter protection. The plant can be sprayed with an anti-transpirant in mid to late November. The timing is somewhat tricky. The temperature must be above 40 deg. and it can not rain on the plant and be above 40 deg. If the plant is in open soil it should be mulched and it should get a good late October watering if the soil is dry. Watering in late fall is very important for the winter health of any evergreen and should be done when the plant is young and even at an older age in a dry Fall season.