How To Prune A Holly Shrub
Pruning methods for Hollies will differ based upon whether they produce berries or not - unless you don't mind whether or not they produce a crop of berries. And really, hollies of any type require no pruning at all, though they respons well to it. The choice to prune is up to you.
Berry Producing Holly Shrubs
Holly shrubs which produce berries in Fall that remain throughout Winter should be pruned in late Winter, before new growth begins to emerge. Tiny flowers will be produced early in Spring that will then set green berries that turn to red or other colors in Fall. Any heavy pruning after flowering will most likely remove berries.
Non-Berry Producing Holly Shrubs
Hard-pruning to reduce the size of a holly shrub should be done in late Winter, before new growth has emerged.
Light pruning or shearing to shape or remove a stray or broken branch can be done any time of year.
Many of the small-leaved holly, such as 'Compacta" respond well to shearing and therefore are suitable for formal hedges.
Tree-Forming a Holly Shrub
Many types of holly, such as Burfordi, Dwarf Burfordi, Needle Point, and some of the taller Holy such as Nelli Stevens can be limbed up to form a small to mid-size tree, depending on their mature height. pruning to tree form should be done in late Winter, before new growth has emerged.
Simply start by removing lower branches that would not effect the shape of the canopy and continue upwards until you are satisfoed with the shape. Step back every few cuts to view your work.
TIP: Pruning holly shrubs with sharp hand pruners is always recommended. Pruning with electric or gas-powered hedge trimmers can cause unsightly scarring of leaves.
TIP:
Use the SEARCH at the top of every page on the web site to locate any specific shrub. Once you have located the shrub in the Search, click to go to its Plant File. In the Plant File you will find pruning instruction for that shrub.
Select a category below to see pruning instructions for other types of shrubs:
Choose from a category below to find pruning instructions: