holly

Holly (Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens') requires regular watering in order to thrive. During the first month, the plant should be watered at least once a week, allowing the top 2-3 inches of the soil to dry between waterings. During the summer months, water once or twice a week as needed, allowing the top 5 inches or so to dry out in between waterings. In the winter, when plants are dormant, water less frequently, only once every 3 weeks or so, allowing the soil to dry completely.

Holly (Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens')requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive. If possible, providing 8-10 hours of sunlight to this species is optimal. When providing sunlight to holly, it’s important to consider the season in which you are providing the light. During the winter, Nellie R. Stevens holly should be placed in a southern-facing window or outside where it can receive the best quality of light. During the summer, it should be moved to a more shaded area to protect it from the intense heat of the sun.

Holly (Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens') should be pruned lightly and only when necessary. Pruning should occur during the winter months, when the plant is not actively growing. When pruning, it is important to remember that holly is a slow-growing plant, so pruning too much can cause the plant to look sparse or bare. Pruning should always be focused on removing dead or damaged branches and maintaining the desired shape of the plant. No more than a quarter of the total leaf mass should be removed during any pruning session.