How to grow Nellie Steven's Holly with planting and care instructions

The products I use - kit.com/HortTube
This video is a detailed description of growing Nellie Steven's Hollies. Ilex x 'Nellie R Stevens' is a fast growing evergreen shrub best suited as a screening plant. It is very low maintenance with little or no insect or disease problems.
Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'
Website - www.horttube.com/

[@lazomachavez7029]

I watched several of Mr Putnam's videos in the past 3 weeks. I think he is very honest. He is obviously very knowledgeable. I appreciate his videos a lot.

[@lj1124]

He is the best!

[@karieanne25]

I love Nellie Stevens pruned not into a conical shape, but allowed to grow into a dense tall full hedge. We are so fortunate to have 2 very large Hedges out of this beautiful plant. The birds love them. HollyTone is great for them.

[@johnliberty3647]

This is the shrub I used for my perimeter, I wanted Thujas but certain corners were very shady. I planted in 2012, I have trees down hill from my Compost pile that are now 25 feet tall.

[@christinegalanti325]

Thanks for the planting tips! I just received six Nellie Stevens and the instructions on depth were very helpful.

[@JimPutnam]

Glad to help.

[@wesleyhackney]

I have a few of these in my yard and they are definitely fast grower as you say bet mine grew over 2 ft this year it’s a true bullet proof plant

[@yaoyao9524]

What if I want them to grow into each other instead of a Christmas tree shape, will 4 feet apart too close?

[@QueenMar1ka]

I just wanted to say your channel rocks. I just got into plant gardening for my kids.

[@leeh-xh1iw]

Here in NE Fl I have Steven's Hollies for the last two years they grown about a foot and they do grow better in the sun here, shade no growth

[@Frank020]

I'm going to try a few of these for a small backyard. Hedge Zone 8--9. Privets are doing well.(acid fert. /6-8ft apart.)

[@kaylaporche2566]

We planted 11 NSHs along our fenceline last year for a privacy hedge and most are doing great; however, two of them have had a major issue with scale bugs to the point that they are destroying the leaves and making the shrubs look noticeably not as nice as the others. I've treated with Neem Oil and Copper Fungicide, on multiple occasions, and they are still taking over. Any other suggestions for treating it? Other than that, they have been a beautiful addition to yard.

[@hotrodmom86]

Hi Jim, you always have such good information and show a lot of plants I have not seen before. I need a plant that will form a privacy screen,is fast growing if possible,but doesn't mind being wet here in zone 9A. There is some rain runoff from the hillside and we get a good deal of rain. I'm on the coast here in Grays Harbor Washington. Thanks again!

[@slvrbck8741]

Love these videos...I wish you could try and explain,describe or speak more in terms uneducated people can follow...there are many terms and phrases used that people unfamiliar to gardening don't understand...also,I'd love to see a basis tutorial on how exactly to put a plant into the ground...what products to use when planting etc...thanks for the great videos and information

[@b.walker5955]

Hi Jim, I am 6b 7a and in 2021 winter my screening wall consisting of 160 Nellies suffered from the subzero 18 below temp. I have leaf burn? Leaf death? Some limbs are fine with a percentage crumbled and dry, while others really took a hit and the entire limb is damaged. We just had our first near 80 degree day and the flower buds are popping. Is NOW the time I need to prune and edit all the damage off? Also I do have those you just explained in the shade where the leader is all alone scraggly, thin and maybe 10 feet reaching for light. If I cut the leader will the tree find another? And do I cut right at the crown or below? Does it really matter with this much pruning where to snip? Thanks. PS. I vouch for the durability of the Nellie. This wall was planted 16 years ago at 5' height 8 foot center nothing has attacked it. EXCEPT a few turtles nested below and dug the soil out from the root. It wasn't discovered until too late. They are indestructible. We have several that have reached 20'. All under canopy of Oaks. Will never live anywhere without the beauty and benefit found in the Nellie's.

[@RaffiChapian]

Thanks for the great information. We bought 5 Nellie Stevens today. They are fairly big. Some did not have a lot of bottom growth. Is there a way to promote the bottom growth. We looked everywhere for smaller ones but the nurseries in Rhode Island and near by Massachusetts don't carry them.

[@TT-zn8zc]

Awesome advice! You helped me to make my decision about my screening plant!

[@gilmartin7854]

Thanks for that great and straight to the point advice.

[@xrayu94]

Do I need to prune a very young Nellie Stevens to get it to thicken and fill out or will it do it on its own?

[@Thankful_.]

Helpful info. I received a small cutting of this plant today. I’m going to go out on a limb and plant it...we shall see what happens! Ps. Love the bloopers @ end of your clip!

[@redraiderboz]

If I undercut the low branches, will it promote the nelly to grow taller faster? Or will it grow tall fast regardless of the lower branches?

[@sarahgeyer2899]

Is it better to buy these as a single or multi trunk? Or does it matter?

[@josephdarby4829]

Hello. I love your presentation on the Nelly Steven Holly. I am looking at planting some hollies at a new home I purchased in Houston. Initally I planted 5 Savanah Hollies (6-7 years old) on the front home (5000sf) with 2 car attached. What's your opinion on the Savanah versus the Nelly? I'd like to plant some in the backyard also. Should I move the Savanah to the back and replace with Nelly in the front.

[@rayc8021]

Enjoyed this, thank you! Our house has N. Stevens around front patio for privacy. Should we be worried about the roots invading the patio foundation and causing damage? They are currently about 6'-7' tall. We want to keep them at about 8'.

[@sharonadcox7463]

Please share with us how to start a new plant from a cutting.

[@maryanncolbourn6469]

How can I get my Nellie Stevens back to being healthy..bought this house in march has 10 plants..some plants look good others I believe have been overwatered and have spots on some plants..I live in florida.. It is dec..such I fertilize now..neighbors say the trees use to be well taken care of until the wife passed 5 yrs ago..no fertilize since...i ready want them healthier.. Thank you...Mary Ann

[@c2s36]

Can you tell me about nelly stephen root system?

[@johnwride4911]

Thanks Jim, the video was very helpful, but it seems my Nellie Stevens Hollies are the slow growing type although I water well and feed with Holly-Tone. I sometimes use Superthrive as well when they don't look well. They were professionally planted (all 9 of them) but they may have only grown a couple of inches in 2 years any thoughts on what I can do. This year the high Texas heat (over 100f for weeks) has turned a few of my hollies into almost dead hollies with leaf burn etc..

[@EASyourpain]

I live on the border of zone 5 and 6. My county is literally split between the two. Can this holly survive a winter where i live? Id love to get some I'm just not sure it'll survive.

[@brendasmith531]

Great video! I live in Georgia and we've had a really hot summer but due to my neighbors messiness, after removing the screen of dying Leyland Cypress that were over 20 years old, had to plant a new screening hedge and chose the Nellie Stevens hollies. Planted 18 of them 6 feet apart. They were 3 gallon plants somewhat root bound but landscapers did loosen roots a bit with a shovel and dug hole 2 x size and put in Natures Helper and also a little "super sod" mixed with the hard clay soli of Georgia. Problem: 2 weeks later after deeply watering thoroughly every couple of days, seeing some drooping of new growth and also some leaf spot on some of them. Really afraid they are dying. One of them did have some large mushrooms growing around it. Sign of too much moisture or fungus? Recommendations?

[@carabuchanan7384]

Did they ammend the soil with compost and gypsum? We have very red wet clay here in East rx and have to plant everything 3 to 6 in taller than ground level for drainage

[@JimPutnam]

9f they were root bound and they roughed up the roots with it as dry as it has been there is no way to water enough. Too much on the top for the damaged roots to take care of. I always prune a little when I plant in dry conditions. That balance is it out. They will then, but they will be fine. Probably take the spring to recover

[@thestrawberryaniahomegarde7228]

Thank you for another very informative video!

[@MintonBarry]

Awesome trees great cover for private tree line liked and subscribe

[@dbueter]

Hi Jim! Does Nellie need a male pollinator?

[@laurabauman941]

Is this better planted in a straight line or staggered for screening

[@brianrobson3727]

I'm planning on adding a lot of leaf mulch/compost around the base of the nellies I have not planted yet. Do you see any benefit to berming them, and if so, how much? Thanks!

[@dtoomey9174]

Do the deer like them too?

[@maggieperez3316]

Do deer eat Nellie stevens

[@johnpacella9519]

Great vid, useful info. Thanks!

[@melissaeldridge7437]

I live in Northern Texas and want a hedge or privacy fence. You kept saying Christmas tree shaped, but will they grow together to make a 8-10 ft tall hedge that can be box shaped?

[@junesmart7352]

My Nellie Stevens need serious rejuvenation cutback and I plan to do this next spring. It is spindly from neglect for 10 years, and my efforts to tip prune the last 3 years has not corrected the problem. Maybe you will present a video on rejuvenation pruning, or offer us some advice.

[@davidtromblay9503]

How close do I HAVE to plant a Chinese Holly to my Nellie Stevens?

[@sixpackyoung9698]

Hello. I love your tube. I live in Oklahoma. 7B. I need to plant border plants like this for people not cut in to my parking lot. This seven Hollies are growing too tall, I like something will stay from 3 up to 7 feet tall. No bugs and evergreen! I would love to hear from you. Thanks

[@richardlindke7336]

Trying to learn how to trim Nellie Stevens Holly for a privacy hedge

[@hannahschaaf5044]

Hi Jim, we are near you in Benson. Thanks for your videos. We planted a hedge of Nellie Stevens as a border between us and the neighbors about 9 months ago. They have barely grown and have black spots and yellow leaves. Not sure if my husband planted too deep. If so, would we need to raise every one up? Is that something we should do now in the spring?

[@vellum806]

I'm curious about what you did to solve this problem. I'm having the same issue and I'm not sure if I should just pull them up.

[@joyfriend8095]

Hi Jim, thanks for the very informative videos! Your screening plant playlist has been a great help! Can the Nellie Steven's Holly be planted on a slope? I am hoping to plant several large evergreens across our backyard (in central VA) for privacy but there is a fairly substantial hill in the back with an easement at the bottom. : ( Our house sits up very high and somewhat far from the neighbors in back, hence the need for something very tall. I assume a conifer would not be a wise choice and this holly is beautiful.

[@darkstar7897]

Great video very informative 👍 P.S. I love how you added the bloopers lol...... nothing worth doing is rarely easy

[@cottagekeeper1044]

Thank you so much

[@caroleckler8984]

How do you prune it to get it to grow the fastest

[@user-tz7oz4gg4h]

I want to trim this into a large ball, can this be done with Nellie Stevens

[@biffybilliamson]

Do you think I'd have any luck planting these in zone 3?

[@seaslob2820]

Excellent video

[@ritag4627]

Love your videos!! Thank you so much!

[@kennyvega145]

Your videos have been a great help thanks

[@odahowe635]

Can these trees be ok in Sacramento, Ca? Summer is really hot here. Thanks

[@spiritmama]

Do you have any videos for Dragon Lady Hollies? I have one with red berries. It actually grew into 2 trees. Gets plenty of sun. It does get hit by wind coming down the road in the winter, but it has become accustomed to it’s location. Been there about 12 years. Color is great. We pruned it last year. Fertilized it this year. New growth on the tips, but it did have leaf fall on the inside parts. My question - is there a way for it to re-grow leaves from truck to before the tips of branches? Because those areas are now bare, and I only see new growth on the end of branches. Trying to see how to make it bushy again. Thanks for any advice! Think I’m around zone 7, if that helps.

[@inesrodriguez3457]

I’m planning on doing a screening edge with Hollies, I am in zone 6b which type of Holly you recommend? I need minimum 10 feet high

[@dkbomb]

Hi Jim, I just got a few 15gal, 4-6 ft tall that are pyramidal in shape. Can I still prune the top off after planting to encourage more dense growth or should I just let it establish through its first season in ground? Thanks!

[@AR-zc9jz]

Hi Jim , I live in north Texas and planted 30 of these about 2 years ago and so far 4 of them died . In the summer the whole plant leaves turned light green and slowly turned brown and die about month or 2 later ! Any idea ? By the way I was watering them at least 3 times a week !

[@CypherByt3]

i am in zone 5 :( I am looking for a screening plant that grows quickly and create a privacy fence

[@jasonmiller9569]

Hi Jim I planted about 40 of these in the Fall following this guidance. I live in 7a. Haven't see any growth yet. Is this normal?

[@JimPutnam]

Nothing grows very quickly the first season. We got super dry here for a while and it slowed my stuff down.

[@capeflatterytrail]

Helpful video. Do you know anything about Ilex Winter Bounty and its growth rate?

[@vwatson62]

When is the best time to shear? We're in zone 6. More importantly, how aggressively can I go? 😳 I have a beautiful, very full bush from ground to top that is way too big. Has to be 12' tall by 4 or 5' wide. Bees love it in the spring. Hate to take their did away, but I need to bring our down the size. Sits in our front yard, next to house. Full view to neighborhood.

[@henryrutledge915]

I’ve had my Nellie Stevens planted for over a year now and they have not gotten over 1 foot tall. I thought they were supposed to grow higher than 2-3 feet per year? They look great, but are not growing fast at all. They have plenty of sunlight. Any suggestions to help them grow faster?

[@diamond6256]

When is the best time to buy this plant? I am going low maintenance and cutting 80 ft live oaks down and replacing with these.

[@duncanblack9090]

Thank you. Is there anyway to start new growth, where they holly has a void or hole in the pattern?

[@LDSKIPPER1911]

I’m in zone 6 (Georgia) and have a 3 acre lot. I’d like to remove the dead pine trees that I have on the sides of my house and replace with beautiful evergreens. Would you prefer this over a green giant for screening purposes?

[@brooklynjackson550]

Very helpful! Thank you so much!!!

[@thomaszakotnik7948]

Planting as border, what other 2 plants would go in front of NS ?

[@tinacheramie6833]

Are the Nellie Stevens Holly incompatible with any plants?

[@free-dropshanker6607]

Hey Jim, I’m considering a purchase of 14 or more Nellies. Do you have a recommendation for where to purchase the,? I Appreciate any advice

[@psmith5353]

I love this channel

[@susanpowell2371]

Can you plant them in area of yard where water sits after rain

[@JEMnCo]

Hey Jim, I'm looking to put in something on the front corner of my house to help hide some AC equipment on the side of my house and I'm looking at Nellie Stevens or Oakland holly.... Which one do you recommend.... I'm in zone 6b

[@janiec3915]

I brought an evergreen home to plant from a nursery and it has a bird nest with eggs in it! I'm very upset about this. Do I just leave the nest alone?

[@JimPutnam]

The bird is at the nursery so I don't think there is an answer to this one unfortunately

[@Sophia-bp9ul]

Thank you Jim. This was very helpful. Are there any other fast growing evregreen shrub you'd suggest that is similar to Nellie S. Holly?

[@Sophia-bp9ul]

@Chiamano Thank you

[@evefick7942]

I think I have Nellie Stevens holly bush 3 but they aren't growing I been growing them for 2yrs help please. How can I get them to grow.

[@JimPutnam]

Evelyn Giles Fertilize them in the spring. Plants don't always grow quickly until they have rooted in some.

[@kathysellers7019]

When is the best time to plant?

[@dl4075]

thanks for the info on the hollies - we are in zone 7A on a large lot in a rural area and want to plant a long 90' privacy screen between us and our neighbors. Have you done any videos that cover this topic? I would prefer a variety of evergreen rather than one species, and don't want anything that would grow over 25' in height. Any guidance on where to start with this would be appreciated.

[@carabuchanan7384]

The real question is how to properly plant the holly in clay since they can tolerate it. Do we just dig a saucer sige hole backfill with clay not the toot ball is 3 to 5 in above hole. Then after backfilling with clay then add good soil and compost to create a berm. Thoughts :)

[@JimPutnam]

I have several clay planting videos on the channel, but with this holly it probably would do fine with no amendments. Just leave it slightly elevated so that it doesn't stay wet. If you want to use pine bark or compost 50 50 with the clay that you pull out of the hole

[@carabuchanan7384]

@@JimPutnam Thank you Sir. Clay soil here in Tx is a whole other beast to work with. Our former landscaping company planted 63 45 gal wax myrtles, 32 20 gal boxwoods, and 30 Japanese Hollies, 4 45 gal cedars. Our bill was well over 12,000 when the finished this March. Almost all died, by choosing the wrong thing or burning them way too deep. Hubby and I went to the nursery and bought 20 45 gal Nellie Steven's. I want to do this right so we don't throw anymore more money away. Thank you for your advice. These are not going to be fun to plant this week, they are all over 12 ft tall and super heavy

[@carabuchanan7384]

@@JimPutnam Do you have a link to share about tips in planting in clay soil

[@nhanbui4491]

winter is coming in 3-4 months for me in NYS. How mature (how old) does the plant have to before it can survive the first winter? It am getting baby plants from amazon and it looks like they have only grown a stem and two leaves.

[@bohemianbalm5911]

Can you take cuttings from a Nellie Steven's and propagate new bushes? If so, what would be the process? Thank you!

[@JimPutnam]

Easy to do from cuttings. I have lots of propagation videos on the channel. More information than I can give in short answer.

[@rosedinser680]

Hi Jim I just planted my holly about 6 weeks ago. It's turning a dark egg plant color. I maybe watering to much. I have been watering every day because it's in a southern environment

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Hi Rose. How did it make out?

[@MrChangeordie]

Anyone know if these will grow well in the desert?

[@angusclark4338]

I have planted several of these and most have multiple main trunks. Will they bush out better if i prune back to a single main trunk? Or leave the multiple trunks. The goal is to create a visual screen. Thanks for all of your videos👍

[@JimPutnam]

I would just let them go if you are just letting them do there thing. It is time to fertilize them which would help get them going this spring.

[@rogerboeve4658]

When do you prune Nelly st3vens hollies

[@daphneknittel9784]

I live in GA 20 miles from Atlanta to give you an idea of the location. I just purchased 3x 8 foot Nellie Stevens. With regards to GA infamous red clay, what should I do before putting in the ground. Soil, Fertilizer, etc. Trying to protect my investment.

[@katchinadoll]

How long with it take four 8ft tall three ft wide Nellie Stevens if planted 5ft apart to grow together to create privacy?

[@fiamond]

A couple of years

[@brianpetersen1574]

Hello Jim...Thanks for your videos I just subscribed. I just purchased a Nellie Stevens Holly in a 3 gallon pot. It came with a support stick. When I plant the holly in the ground should I leave the support stick for a few months or plant it in ground without (remove support stick)?...Many thanks.

[@AB-up8dh]

I prefer the original prickly English holly

[@CDale-tc3xz]

Jim - Looking to setup a hedge row with these (Would rather Morris Hollys for deer resistance but heck if I can find them anywhere!) I'm looking to do a test line of 10 of them and was wondering as it's half way to august if I should just wait and get them in the spring instead? We're in NC, so zone 7b I think.

[@trent999]

I´m planning to plant some of these shrubs next to my fence, do you know how much inches I should plant them away from the fence? can these shrubs push my fence down over the time when they get wider and bigger? thx

[@missjenniferd1]

10ft

[@loplop21]

Thanks for the info.

[@gerrystarchild]

Great information

[@louissmith1051]

How much water whe. You plant how many minutes out of the hose how many times a week

[@louissmith1051]

It’s a 15 gallon in texas

[@heatherlopez4592]

What is the ideal light requirements for holly?

[@WeaverFamilyFarms]

Thanks you for this great video!

[@fleger1118]

Thanks HortTube, by the way what do you think /know about Needlepoint Holly.

[@johnramos37]

Hi Jim can you reproduce this holly thru seeds?do you need to startify?Thanks a lot,your videos are so informative,thanks for sharing your wisdom

[@meredith3588]

My hollies have been in the ground for 3 plus years, are about 6-7 ft. tall but I get very few berries. Do I need a male holly nearby and if I do could you mention a specific name. I have asked at numerous nurseries and I never get a clear answer.

[@JimPutnam]

+Meredith Klein If they are Nellie Stevens Hollies they don't need a pollinator. If it is some other variety it is possible they do. It is a very bad berry year in my area this year after a great one last year.

[@paulacreed8631]

The male Chinese holly will provide pollination and an increases in berry production.

[@seemas5811]

Do you plant these elevated in zone 6 loamy soil? Or is it for clay soil only that you have to put them in ground a little elevated

[@rockyreinakotya]

We are planning on planting the small seedlings in a woodland setting around our cabin. It is mostly shady with some sun periodically. Would it grow dense enough to block the neighbors? Or should we reconsider the planting location? Thank you.

[@cactussucculentgardenbyjia2991]

i like your videos