Evergreen Trees (Flowering) – Nellie Steven Holly

Botanical name: ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: up to 20 ft tall and 15 ft wide

Bloom time: blooms in the late spring, but takes 3-5 growing seasons to start producing flowers

Hardy zone: zones 6-9

Flower color: white/yellow/green

Foliage color: green

Growth rate: grows about 2 – 3 ft a year

Pruning instructions: trim in the early spring to maintain desired size and shape

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: makes for a great privacy hedge

Light needs: 4 – 8 hours of sun a day

Special features: produces non-edible bright red berries

Watering instructions: allow soil to partially dry between watering sessions

Fertilizing instructions : fertilize in the early spring with a slow release fertilizer for broadleaf evergreens

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: adapts to all kinds of soil

Companion plants: geraniums, azaleas, begonias, impatients

Toxicity level: berries and leaves are toxic for humans (especially children) and pets when ingested

Invasive species: no