American holly

American Holly (Ilex opaca 'Miss Helen') should be watered weekly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In the summer months, when the plant is actively growing, water more frequently - every 4 to 5 days - to ensure the soil stays consistently moist. In winter, reduce the watering to every 10 days. Ideally, American Holly should be watered in the morning so the soil has time to dry out during the day, reducing the chances of fungal diseases.

American holly (Ilex opaca 'Miss Helen') requires full to partial sun for optimal growth. This plant prefers bright light, with direct sun exposure for 2 or 3 hours in the morning and indirect light for the rest of the day. Direct sun exposure in the afternoon may be too intense and can cause the leaves to burn. Planting American holly in an area of the garden that receives morning sun is recommended. To ensure that the plant gets enough light, it should be planted in an area that receives direct sunlight for at least 4 to 6 hours each day.

American holly should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Prune it lightly to shape the tree and to thin the crown. Remove diseased, damaged, or crowded branches, as needed. Avoid pruning more than a quarter of the tree’s foliage in 1 season.