The Ilex genus holds over 400 species of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, and climbers, widely cultivated as garden specimens. One of the most attractive and vigorous hollies is Nellie Stevens holly.
Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ grows in a classic pyramidal form with dark, lustrous leaves and vibrant burgundy-red berries. A carefree garden performer, ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ adapts to a variety of landscape conditions. This centuries-old garden staple enhances the garden with multi-season appeal. Here’s how to grow it!
I. Appearance and Characteristics
The Ilex Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is a hybrid between the Ilex aquifolium and Ilex cornuta. It is a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers due to its striking appearance and easy maintenance.
One of the most notable features of the Nellie R. Stevens Holly is its size. This medium-sized shrub can grow up to 25 feet high and 15 feet wide, making it a great choice for filling in larger spaces in your garden or landscape.
In addition to its size, the Nellie R. Stevens Holly also boasts shiny, dark green leaves that are thick and firm. These leaves provide a beautiful and lush backdrop to the vibrant red berries that the shrub produces in late fall.
The berries themselves are another reason why the Nellie R. Stevens Holly is such a popular choice. These bright red berries are not only visually stunning, but they also attract a variety of birds and other wildlife to your garden or landscape.
Ultimately, the Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add some color and interest to their outdoor space. With its size, lush foliage, and vibrant berries, it is sure to be a standout feature in any garden or landscape in the north-central Georgia region.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The Ilex Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a sun-loving plant that requires at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. When choosing a location for your Holly, look for an area that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day. This will ensure that your Nellie R. Stevens Holly grows healthy and strong, with dense foliage and abundant berry production.
Consider planting your Nellie R. Stevens Holly in a spot that receives some shade during the hottest part of the day. This will help to prevent the leaves from scorching in the intense sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity
Nellie R. Stevens holly can be easily grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 6-9. It enjoys warm weather but can tolerate frost conditions.
While this type of holly is especially popular in Southern states such as Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, it is, in fact, hardy all the way to zone 6. For the next zone north of that, plant the somewhat hardier Ilex opaca ‘Mac’s Prince,’ which is suitable for zones 5-9. ‘Mac’s Prince’ reaches a height of 15 to 30 feet tall, with a spread of 10 to 20 feet wide.
Watering
This shrub needs only needs 1 to 2 inches of water weekly, but no more. Do not overwater or root rot will occur. It can live in an area where there is drought.
Soil
Nellie R. Stevens Holly prefers slightly acidic soil, with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5. If your soil is too alkaline, you can lower the pH by adding organic matter, such as peat moss or compost. It is also important to ensure that the soil is well-draining, as hollies do not like to sit in water.
If you are unsure about the pH or drainage of your soil, you can have it tested by a local garden center or university extension office. This will help you to determine if any amendments are needed before planting your Nellie R. Stevens Holly.
Fertilizing
Like all plants, Nellie R. Stevens Holly requires proper nutrition to thrive. These evergreen shrubs prefer slow-release, balanced fertilizers in early spring to maintain optimal nutrition. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can lead to lanky growth and poor berry production.
It’s also important to keep your Nellie R. Stevens Holly’s soil pH in the right range. Holly prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. You can test your soil’s pH using a soil testing kit, which can be purchased at most garden centers.
Spacing
The Nellie R. Stevens Holly can grow up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, so it is important to choose a location that can accommodate its size. When selecting a planting site, be sure to leave enough space for your Nellie R. Stevens Holly to grow without crowding other plants or structures in your landscaping area.
You may also want to consider a holly’s shape when choosing a location. The Nellie R. Stevens Holly has a pyramidal shape, with a broad base and a narrow top. If you are planting your Nellie R. Stevens Holly as a specimen plant, you may want to choose a location where its shape can be fully appreciated.
Planting Instructions
When planting your Nellie R. Stevens Holly, it is important to follow these steps to ensure proper growth and establishment:
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. This will give the roots plenty of room to grow and spread out.
- Remove the plant from its grower’s container, and gently massage the roots to loosen from their bound growth pattern. This will help the roots to establish in the new soil.
- Ensure that the root ball is at ground level, and backfill with soil around the root ball, tamping down as you go to prevent air pockets from forming. This will help to anchor the plant and prevent it from toppling over.
- Water generously. Your Nellie R. Stevens Holly will need plenty of water to establish its roots and begin growing. Be sure to water deeply and regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.
- Lastly, add a small layer of mulch above the root ball, keeping it away from the stem of the plant. This will help to retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from growing around the base of the plant.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Nellie R. Stevens Holly will have the best chance of thriving in its new home.
Pruning
Nellie R. Steven’s hollies should be pruned in mid-to-late fall or early spring. This bush maintains its pyramidal shape without much pruning. But if you wish for it to appear more tree-like, prune off the lower branches in winter, to expose its trunk.
Nellie R. Stevens holly is most commonly used as a specimen tree or massed in a hedge to form a “living wall” that functions as a privacy screen. When it is to be treated as a specimen tree, purchase the tree form.
Propagation
The best way to propagate any holly bush, including Nellie R. Stevens, is by using semi-ripe cuttings you’ve gathered in the summer or early fall. Here’s what to do:
- Using a sterilized cutting tool, take a cutting of about 6 inches. Cut below one of the small bumps/buds.
- Remove all leaves but leave two sets of leaves at the top of the cutting.
- Dip the bottom end of the cutting in rooting hormone.
- Prepare a permanent full or partial sun location. Loosen the soil and add coarse sand for good drainage.
- Plant the cutting about 1 inch deep into the soil.
- Water the cutting frequently to keep it moist. Do not water if you have heavy rain.
- In the spring, check if the cutting has new growth which will indicate roots. It’s best to leave this cutting in the location rather than transplant it.
Overwintering
While Nellie R. Stevens is cold-hardy, in extreme temperatures, you’ll want to cover with something like burlap to protect its leaves.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The shrub is usually not subject to pest damage, making it a low-maintenance plant. Though pest control is rarely needed, always look out for scale, spider mites, and whitefly. There are also highly specialized leafminers that feed wholly or mainly on specific kinds of holly: Phytomyza ilicicola attacks I. opaca, while the target of P. ilicis is I. aquifolium. Spray organic neem oil on your plants when you find evidence of insect attacks.
Nellie R. Stevens is also susceptible to root rot, canker, and chlorosis. Root rot can be remedied by making sure the shrub is planted in well-draining soil.
Common Problems
Most holly bushes, including Nellie R. Stevens, are easy to maintain once they are established. But you may find a few problems, including the following:
- No Berries
This is a common issue for this female hybrid plant. Hollies are generally dioecious plants, so you usually need both a male and a female for fruit production. Strictly speaking, the Nellie R. Stevens holly is an exception to this rule, being what is called a partially “parthenocarpic” plant. This means that it can set some fruit without a male being present, although the fruit will be seedless. Such technicalities aside, it is still better to provide a male: Doing so will produce more fruit. The male counterpart is Ilex x ‘Edward J. Stevens.’
- Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves can indicate chlorosis, an iron deficiency. The yellowing leaves may have veins that remain dark green. This typically happens if the bush is overwatered or the soil has poor drainage. Either pull back on watering or amend the soil for better drainage.
- Browning Leaves
Browning leaves can mean canker has attacked the shrub. The stems have holes in them that lead to brown leaves, which may result in the plant’s death. To slow down the problem, immediately prune out the affected areas.
- No Blooms
A Nellie R. Stevens shrub won’t bloom until it is three to five years old. However, the flowers, which are tiny, inconspicuous, and short-lived usually from around April to June, are very hard to see.
Encouraging Optimal Growth And Berry Production
- Cross-pollination
For optimal berry production, it’s best to plant more than one Nellie R. Stevens Holly variety within 50-75 feet of one another to enable optimal cross-pollination. This will help ensure that each plant is able to produce the maximum amount of berries possible.
- Seasonal Care Tips
In winter, cover your Nellie R. Stevens Holly with burlap in extreme weather conditions. This will help protect the leaves and prevent desiccation from salt spray and harsh winds.
In conclusion, Monrovia’s Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a great choice for Georgia gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, evergreen shrub with beautiful foliage and bright berries. By planting these hollies in the right location and providing good care and maintenance, you can enjoy the benefits of these plants for years to come!
