Pensacola News Journal

For: Saturday, Jan.18, 2003

By: Daniel E. Mullins

Extension Horticulture Agent

Santa Rosa County

Holly Pruning Method “Berry” Important

Berry bearing holly shrubs and trees are important features in many local landscapes. The berries brighten things up during the winter, and our birds appreciate them too. The Chinese and American hollies are especially popular because they are abundant producers of these brightly colored fruit.

The method of pruning hollies largely determines the presence or absence of berries during a given year. I hasten to add that pruning is not always necessary. If a holly shrub or tree is not growing out of bounds and has a desirable form, leave it alone.

Hollies flower and set fruit on the previous season’s growth during late winter and early spring. So, in order to avoid losing an entire season of berries the pruning requirements are rather precise.

Most holly pruning should be for size and health maintenance only. Plants can be reduced in size by pruning some of the larger, more unruly branches back into the body of the plant, leaving a natural form with many terminals.

Avoid shearing or removing all of the terminals while pruning unless the plants are being grown as a closely clipped hedge. Repeated shearings almost guarantee that fewer berries will be produced.

Drastic pruning of overgrown hollies is sometimes necessary. Such pruning should be limited to those plants that are seriously crowding other plants, buildings or other landscape features. In this case, instead of constantly snipping and clipping during the spring and summer, it is better to go ahead and make the “big cut.”

Healthy holly shrubs can be cut down to within 12 inches of the ground during early spring. A pruning saw or a strong pair of hand pruners will be required for this work. More often, a saw is needed because even strong lopping shears are meant for cutting branches no larger than 1½ inches in diameter.

Growth from severely pruned hollies will be rapid and made up of vigorous shoots. Once these shoots reach a length of 6 inches or more, clip the tips away to encourage early branching and compact growth. Obviously no berries should be expected until the second season following the drastic pruning of hollies.

Severely pruned plants will require some extra maintenance to recover properly during the first growing season. This includes water, fertilizer and the removal of excessively vigorous and unruly branches.

Question of the Week: We have recently moved to the area and would like to establish plants that provide winter color. Can you suggest some?

Answer: There are many possibilities. Camellias are the first to come to mind. Cultivars of the Sasanqua camellia begin to flower in October and continue for several weeks and the Camellia japonica cultivars begin flowering during mid winter and continue until spring.

There are several annual and perennials that perform well during the winter in Gulf Coast gardens including snapdragons, pansies, dianthus and statice. Also, color in the landscape should not be limited just to the flowering plants. Consider tree bark, berries and the various shades of evergreen trees and shrubs.

The bark color of crapemyrtle varies from white to cinnamon brown, depending upon the cultivar. The standard yaupon holly when pruned to a tree form, produces smooth white bark along with red berries if it happens to be a female plant. Consider incorporating variegated shrubs into the landscape too. They come in various shades and colors and given a dark green background, can provide some striking accent.