How to grow Carissa Holly with detailed description

[@june-zq2mp]

About to plant three now. But I had to hear your thoughts on this holly! You gave me all the information I needed. Thank you!!!!😊 Have a great Day!!

[@jwork5435]

Thanks for video...Have mature, 20 yo, Carissa hollies that are 4x4, 4x5 in size now. Been pruned in past but allows to get too big in last few years. Have plans to attempt rejuvenate pruning this winter. Some of the Carissas have sections that have reverted back to type of holly with sharp point foliage...Do you think hard pruning and cutting out the areas that have reverted, will work to rejuvenate the Carissa and stop the point foliage or is it too late to put that sharp point genie back in the bottle ? Thanks again for the great videos and any guidance.

[@sharoncandler7053]

Jim thank you for your video. We also live in NC in the Benson area. Lots of sand. We purchased 6 carissa hollys about 10 years ago and planted on the west side of the house and another in the northeast corner of the house. They have all grown to be about 4 feet high but 7-8 feet wide. Husband had trimmed them back and they have grown so huge again. Can we trim these down to 2 feet now without hurting them? I see carissa s everywhere that are only 2 feet. I don't understand why ours got so big!

[@laurenpage3301]

Do you recommend the Carissa holly or the radiance abelia in DFW Texas zone 8a to replace roses that got hit with rrd. Full Texas sun !

[@sharoncandler7053]

Great video

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Very helpful video. I send your link to my customers for more info on their shrubs.

[@JimPutnam]

+Blades of Grass Lawn Care, LLC Thank you for that. I hope your spring season goes well.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Yours as well, Thanks!

[@john-marymagro5872]

Use a table to hold the plant

[@derrick.taylor]

I'm in zone 6b, and these have survived 4 years for me so far! A little burn after winter, nothing major

[@JimPutnam]

+Derrick Taylor Good information. Thanks

[@sherryhudson9075]

So I can’t grow this plant in alkaline soil?

[@joanmastrangeli1784]

Hi Jim! Joan from Houston TX, here, but my family is in NC, I am so appreciative of you sharing your knowledge of plants! Question: Do you soak all of your flowers, shrubs and trees in a root stimulator solution ( like Quick Start of Root Tone) before planting? Also if you were to layer 3 plants from front landscaping - what would they be? I am thinking of Carissa Holly, and alternatiing flirt nandina with baby gem boxwood is in groups of 3s on each side. Any suggestions of admonishments? I just tore out some 30 year old leggy dwarf yaupons and have a blank slate. Thanks in advance Jim!

[@briansimon1263]

I know this is a 3 year old post, but being in a suburb of Houston myself and working with a blank slate I am wondering what you went with and how it worked out.

[@sharoncandler7053]

We have carissas that are huge and want to trim them down. They have gotten to be 4-5 feet high and 7-8 feet wide. Will it hurt to trim them back to 2 feet now? We live in Benson, NC with sandy soil.

[@JimPutnam]

You won't hurt them. Maybe do it this week while it's cooler

[@yepnah3514]

Hello, I purchased these a couple of months ago. The label says it grows 4-5 ft both tall and wide. So I am struggling with how close I can plant them. The wall I was going to place them next to is not that wide. About 10ft long. was planning on placing 3 of them.

[@JimPutnam]

I kept my Carissa hollies under 3 feet high and about 4 feet wide for 20 years

[@yepnah3514]

@@JimPutnam Thank you! Also your videos are SO helpful. Thanks for creating them.

[@JA-jm8bk]

What is the mature, un-pruned size? I've seen 5 x 6.

[@JimPutnam]

I've seen them head high. Many times they revert when they get that big

[@dawnwoodward1101]

thanks for this great info!

[@JimPutnam]

+dawn woodward thanks for watching

[@HS-ce6rw]

Hi Jim. I put these in as a front row foundation plant. Zone 7b charlotte. Lots of deer. I really want to keep them 2 x 2 maybe 3x3 max. I am worrying if I will just be fighting these all of the time or if I can aggressively prune ever year or two... or if you can think of any alternatives for 7b full sun, evergreen, not deer candy. I can't seem to come up with anything ... soft touch holly may be too delicious. Thx.

[@JimPutnam]

I kept them on my foundation for 20 years under 3 feet. No problem at all.

[@sylviassuccess]

Im having a problem of big black spots on the leaves. They were planted on my property with new construction in red GA clay and can’t figure out what to do. They get full sun all day and I have river rocks as mulching. I have been pulling the black leaves off but in about 3. To 4 months the new leaves continue to get the spots. I was watering every few days at first. I’m thinking I need to amend the clay soil around the area but any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

[@JimPutnam]

It sounds like Holly leaf spot. I had it on some years ago and I actually pruned them very aggressively and cleaned up all the leaves. The new foliage that came out was clean. I think it allowed some air circulation in the plant.

[@sylviassuccess]

HortTube with Jim Putnam ok great, I will give it a try

[@iwantitallyesterday7126]

Is it ok to plant these now?

[@JimPutnam]

Definitely. Super tough plants.

[@iwantitallyesterday7126]

HortTube with Jim Putnam Thanks!

[@carissa444]

:D