Maryland’s “Black Frost” of 2026: What the Agricultural News Means for Your Landscape Hollies

Posted on May 3, 2026May 4, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

New secondary buds pushing through after the 2026 Maryland Black Frost on a Nellie Stevens Holly.

Executive Summary: The 2026 Black Frost & Your Hollies The Event: A late-season "Black Frost" on April 21, 2026, caused by a "False Spring" that caught new growth off guard. The Impact: New, succulent holly leaves (soft growth) appear "fried" or scorched because frozen cell walls burst. The Recovery: Healthy hollies use "secondary buds" to … Continue reading Maryland’s “Black Frost” of 2026: What the Agricultural News Means for Your Landscape Hollies

Brown vs. Yellow Holly Leaves: Identifying Winter Burn and Why You Must Wait to Transplant

Posted on April 4, 2026May 4, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

Severe winter burn on Nellie Stevens Holly leaves showing brittle brown edges and desiccation at a Maryland tree farm.

If you are looking at your Nellie Stevens or American Hollies this spring and seeing discolored leaves, you aren't alone. However, the color of that discoloration tells a very different story about your tree's health. In a previous post, we discussed Why Holly Leaves Turn Yellow in the Spring—a natural process of shedding old growth. … Continue reading Brown vs. Yellow Holly Leaves: Identifying Winter Burn and Why You Must Wait to Transplant

American Holly vs. Nellie Stevens Holly: A Comprehensive Comparison

Posted on February 15, 2024April 25, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

American Holly vs Nellie Stevens Holly installed by Pryor's Nursery

American Holly vs Nellie Stevens Holly In the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly in areas like Maryland, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and Northern West Virginia, choosing the perfect holly species for your garden is crucial for landscaping success. Two popular options are the native American Holly (Ilex opaca) and the hybrid Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie … Continue reading American Holly vs. Nellie Stevens Holly: A Comprehensive Comparison

Seasonal DIY Evergreen Crafts for Family Fun

Posted on December 16, 2023March 27, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

DIY Evergreen Crafting for the holidays.

Tis the Season The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by bringing a touch of nature into your home with DIY evergreen crafts? In collaboration with Pryor's Nursery, your local go-to evergreen tree farm, we bring you a delightful journey into crafting festive decorations that brighten up your space … Continue reading Seasonal DIY Evergreen Crafts for Family Fun

Transform Your Landscape with Nellie Stevens Hollies

Posted on May 13, 2023March 27, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

Nellie Stevens Holly Privacy Screen of patio

Nellie R Stevens Holly trees are an evergreen hybrid holly that is a perfect addition to transform your landscape. This tree is a cross between English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta). These hybrid holly trees are hardy and require low maintenance, making them an excellent choice for homeowners. Originally cultivated in 1954 … Continue reading Transform Your Landscape with Nellie Stevens Hollies

Holly Berry Time

Posted on May 12, 2019April 25, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

The late spring is the time every year when the Nellie Stevens holly creates new berries. The hollies are cross pollinated by the bees. Hollies that have pollinated flowers will develop small green berries that will grow and become red in the fall.

Fall – A Time for Lawn Maintenance

Posted on October 23, 2018March 27, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

Late August through mid-October is our transition zone's ideal time for fall lawn maintenance. Wait until after a rain to core-aerate or verti-slice the cool season turf grass areas. This way, the soil is soft enough for the machine to penetrate 1/2″ to 1″ deep for the seed prep work. Soil-to-seed contact is the name … Continue reading Fall – A Time for Lawn Maintenance

Increase Nellie Stevens Holly Growth and Beauty

Posted on May 25, 2018April 24, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

Nellie Stevens Holly leaf scorch and new growth.

This time of year is when the Nellie Stevens Holly casts off any damaged leaves from last year, those are the yellow leaves you see falling to the ground.

Holly Berries For Wreaths and Decorations

Posted on December 24, 2016March 27, 2026 by Wade Pryor, Owner and Botanist

Holly berry Christmas wreath for doors or walls.

We receive this question every year, and yes , you may use the holly berries for seasonal decorations. Prune or clip out the pieces of branch you need that contain the holly leaves and red berries.