With their graphic silhouette, evergreen foliage and decorative red berries in winter, hollies are bushes that structure and enliven the garden all year round. With over 400 species, they offer gardeners a wide choice. They are easy to maintain if planted in shade for green-leaved varieties and in sun for variegated types like Ilex aquifolium 'Argenteomarginata'. Varying in size, they can reach heights from 30 cm to 10 metres. They respond well to pruning and can be used as standalone specimens on a short grass meadow, shaped into topiary or planted as hedges. Discover our tips for pruning a holly.
Why prune holly?
As hollies grow slowly, about 15-20 cm per year, pruning isn't essential and should be moderate. You can prune a holly to thin it out, removing dead, diseased or crossing branches, or to shape it as desired: as a hedge, topiary, ball or standard tree.
When to prune?
Prune holly in March for hedges using secateurs, shears or hedge trimmers to thin it out. Prune before new growth begins and avoid frost periods.
We advise not pruning hedges between 15 March and 31 July, to support biodiversity and bird/insect populations.
For topiary, you can also prune in June and September with secateurs, though this risks removing autumn berries.
How to prune holly?
Technique
- As holly foliage is thorny, wear protective gloves and clothing.
- Disinfect with alcohol and sharpen if needed your tools to prevent disease spread.
- Cut at an angle about 0.5-1 cm above a leaf or bud.
- Remove dead or diseased branches.
- Prune to your desired shape. Use a template if needed. For topiary, see our article: Topiary: When and How to Prune? For cloud pruning, see our guide to Cloud Pruning or Niwaki.
How to train a standard holly?
- To create a trunk, select the strongest shoot and annually remove side branches and basal shoots.
- For a straight trunk, use a stake to support it.
- Shape the crown into a ball or desired form.
How to thicken a holly?
- Prune branch tips around March or early spring to encourage bushiness.
How to prune an old holly?
- Rejuvenate by cutting old branches at the base. This stimulates new shoot growth.
How to hard prune a holly?
- To hard prune, cut all branches to 15 cm from the ground. This encourages new growth. See our guide on How to Hard Prune a Bush?
Equipment
- Small secateurs for thin branches, loppers or pruning saw for thick branches.
- Hedge shears or hedge trimmers for hedges
- Thick gloves to protect from thorns
Further reading
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