Q&A for How to Prune Holly Shrubs

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Can you resize a holly bush that has become leggy inside of the shrub?

Katie Gohmann
Professional Gardener
Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008.

Katie Gohmann

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Usually this happens when you haven't kept up with pruning for a few years. You can reshape the bush, but it may look off for a couple of years until it regrows.

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Can a holly be trimmed midsummer?

Community Answer

Yes, hollies are sturdy plants so they can generally withstand pruning at any time of year. It's best to wait until the dead of winter when they're dormant, but your holly should be okay if you must do a midsummer trim.http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/proper-pruning-techniques/

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How do you preserve cut holly bush for decoration?

Community Answer

After cutting, soak the holly in water overnight in order to keep them hydrated. After they dry out, douse them in a commercial spray that preserves holly and makes it fire-resistant. These anti-transpirant sprays, such as Wilt-Pruf, are widely available at home goods stores. Hang the branches and berries out of the sunlight and away from heat sources in order to minimize the risk of fire. Plan on changing out your decorations throughout the holiday season as the hollies will eventually dry out.https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/pdf/hgic1753.pdf

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What is the best time of year to prune an Emily Bruner holly tree?

Community Answer

The later stages of winter, after the worst freezes and lowest temperatures have passed.http://plants.gardensupplyco.com/12190003/Plant/9365/Emily_Brunner_Holly

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Prune new growth in fall?

Community Answer

Hollies are typically resilient plants, so your plant will likely survive if you prune it in the fall, but it's not optimal. The problem with pruning in the fall is that pruning causes new growth and wounds which need to heal. This new growth might not have sufficient time to harden before falling winter temperatures, so you risk damaging your holly by pruning in the fall.http://homeguides.sfgate.com/prune-holly-shrubs-40179.html

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Is it safe to prune these in the rain?

Community Answer

Aside from your personal discomfort from the soggy conditions, pruning in the rain shouldn't be harmful to your holly plant.http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/proper-pruning-techniques/ That being said, visibility is unlikely to be ideal, so you might want to wait until the weather clears up to make your move!

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I have planted a row of 10 oak-leaf hollies that are 7' tall and 5' apart. I am trying to have them grow into a 7' privacy hedge. How do I prune or shear them to encourage them to grow together?

Community Answer

Keep shearing anything that goes above your 7' height, but don't forget to thin the upper branches to allow sunlight to penetrate the bush. Also, thin along the front and back to encourage growth toward the sides (to each other). These hollies can grow over 10' wide, but it takes many years. If you are looking to have a continuous hedge quicker, make sure there is no more than 2 feet of empty space between them. Remember to thin all the way around the upper 3 - 4' once they interlock, or you risk the bottom branches dying from lack of sun and your privacy hedge won't be very private.

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Will a holly bush come back after animals have eaten most of the leaves?

Community Answer

Yes. Deer made a banquet out of my Boy Blue hollies and, while it took several years, they all came back.

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How low can I cut back an old holly shrub so that it will still grow back fuller?

Community Answer

Within two feet from the ground, and trim to keep it's shape. Add a little garden lime to boost it for the summer.

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Will the leaves grow back on an evergreen holly if they were all eaten off?

Community Answer

Yes, they will grow back but it will take a couple of years to grow back to its original size.

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