Holly berry time will start in late Spring. Every year, the Nellie Stevens Holly creates bright red berries that contrast well with dark green leaves. Bees the cross-pollinate the hollies. Then, hollies with the pollinated flowers will develop small green berries that will grow and become gorgeous red in the fall. The formation of berries requires plant energy. Therefore, the holly will make fewer new leaves in May as energy reserves are used for berry production. Coming out of winter with a few lows of 2 degrees F, many hollies have more winter-damaged leaves, which turn yellow and drop as new leaves emerge.
I love the contrasting look of the bright red berries on our holly trees! However, we limit berry production to maximize leaf production. One way is by chemical sprays that inhibit holly flower fruit production. We at Pryor’s Nursery prefer to use a healthier organic method by pruning back our male holly. Then we cover him with mosquito netting so the bees cannot access the flowers. Without cross-pollination, the holly flowers are naturally sterile, and plant reserves will go to more leaf production.
I am always torn between holly berries or more leaves. This year at our tree farm, we need the plants to make more foliage to replace the winter-damaged leaves. So we will prune and cover our male holly to boost leaf production. This will make your evergreen living fence denser after a hard winter. Plus, they are perfect for use in holiday decorations.
We are already backed up with orders this spring! Therefore, place your orders now if you would like to have them installed before the end of June. : )
