American holly

American holly should be watered approximately once a week with a deep soak, making sure the soil around the plant is nice and moist. Generally, 1-2 inches of water on the soil around the base of the plant is enough, and then watering again when the soil has become dry. The best time to water American holly is in the morning, as this will allow the soil to dry out faster during the day. This species of holly may also benefit from occasional misting with a spray bottle.

American holly (Ilex opaca ‘William Hawkins’) grows best in full to partial sun. It does best in an area with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It can also tolerate light shade. Avoid planting this species in an area with constant shade as it will not perform as well in these conditions. It prefers mornings and late afternoons of direct sunlight, rather than full-sun all day.

American Holly (Ilex opaca 'William Hawkins') should be pruned from late winter to early spring, when it is still dormant. It is best to prune when it is not actively growing as this can reduce stress on the plant and keep it in good shape. A general rule is to remove about 1-third of the plant for each prune, allowing for more light and air to reach the interior of the bush. This will help it to grow densely and evenly. Avoid pruning branches that are larger than 1/2 inch in diameter and try to preserve the natural shape. Also, try to avoid creating large "flush cuts" as this could leave the plant vulnerable to disease.