Care Guide for Holly (Ilex)

Watering. Holly requires water every two to three days in the spring and summer but if the soil feels sodden then leave the plant to dry out a bit before adding more water.

Clipping. This is best done when the plant first starts to put on new growth, around May time. Just remove the new growth back into the original shape of the plant using small clippers or shears and each year the plant should increase in size. You may have to repeat this throughout the summer as new shoots often grow out of the plant’s apex.

Feeding. Holly needs a regular feeding program to keep the fullness of the head. With most topiary, we try to exclude as many flowers and fruits as possible, which gives all the energy to the leaves, but with holly everyone wants to see the berries. This means that the plant needs lots of extra support for its general well being and feeding every two weeks will help. We recommend you use a good quality liquid feed and ‘Osmacote’ in the holly which should be available from your local Garden Centre.

Treatment. Holly is particularly susceptible to Vine Weevil and needs treating every year to prevent serious damage. We recommend any chemical treatment you are able to buy from your local Garden Centre. Try to get one which is mixed with water and then used to douse the roots of the plant. It is best to do this treatment in the last week of June and the first week of July (Wimbledon fortnight) when the grubs have just hatched and are busily eating the roots.

If you live near to the nursery, we can treat this for you. Please ask for a quotation.