Foliage: The leaves of Nellie Stevens Holly are rich and lustrous, featuring a deep green color that remains vibrant throughout the seasons. The leaves are spiny and elliptical, creating a bold textural contrast in the landscape. As a hardy evergreen, it maintains its foliage all year round, providing a lush and healthy appearance even in winter months. The addition of bright red berries in the fall and winter adds a pop of color, attracting birds and other wildlife to your garden.

Size: Nellie Stevens Holly is a robust shrub that can reach heights of 15-25 feet and can spread around 8-12 feet wide. Its upright, pyramidal shape allows it to fill vertical space effectively, making it suitable for hedges, privacy screens, or as a standalone specimen. When left unpruned, it can create a bold statement in any landscape, providing ample coverage and structure.

Sun and Soil Requirements: This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade, although full sun is recommended for optimal berry production. It is adaptable to various soil types but prefers well-drained, acidic soil. Nellie Stevens Holly is quite drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering during dry spells while still maintaining its vibrant appearance.

Pruning: Nellie Stevens Holly benefits from occasional trimming to maintain its shape and to encourage bushiness. Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins, ensuring that the plant stays healthy and well-shaped while still producing its beautiful berries each season.

Landscape Use: The striking silhouette, glossy foliage, and decorative berries of Nellie Stevens Holly make it an excellent choice for various landscape applications. It is ideal for creating privacy hedges, foundation plantings, or specimen plants within garden beds. The vibrant berries also make it a favorite for winter interest, providing color and visual appeal even when many other plants have lost their leaves.

With its stunning visual characteristics and low maintenance requirements, Nellie Stevens Holly is sure to enhance your outdoor space. This resilient shrub will serve as a beautiful, functional addition to your garden for years to come, allowing you to enjoy the aesthetic benefits it brings for years to come!