Caring for Holly

Holly is a low-maintenance evergreen once established. Water newly planted specimens regularly during their first growing season, especially in dry spells, to help roots settle in. After that, holly is quite drought-tolerant and usually manages on rainfall alone. In prolonged summer drought, give established plants a deep soak every couple of weeks; container-grown hollies need more frequent watering year-round. Feed in March or April with a balanced slow-release fertiliser (such as blood, fish and bone or a general shrub feed) scattered around the root zone and lightly forked in. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote soft, sappy growth at the expense of berries. A top-up of mulch in spring—well-rotted compost or bark—helps retain moisture and adds organic matter as it breaks down. Holly is generally trouble-free, but watch for holly leaf miner, a small fly whose larvae create yellowish-brown blotches and winding tunnels in the leaves. Pick off and destroy affected leaves if the infestation is light; severe cases may warrant a systemic insecticide in late spring when adults are active. Occasionally, holly can suffer from phytophthora root rot in poorly drained soils—symptoms include yellowing foliage and dieback. Improving drainage is the only real remedy. Holly is fully hardy in zones 6a–9b and needs no winter protection. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and shelter for wildlife. Remove any fallen leaves from beneath the plant in autumn to reduce the risk of fungal disease, and check for broken branches after winter storms.