Holly plants range from petite shrubs to lofty trees, and some are evergreen while others are deciduous. Because of all the diversity, you may be wondering when to prune holly bushes so you get plenty of pretty berries. These slow-growing plants demand much less trimming than other woody shrubs that can outgrow a planting space in a year or two. However, hollies benefit from regular, light pruning. Time it right and make the best cuts with these simple tips for pruning holly bushes of all types.
The 12 Best Pruning Shears to Keep Your Garden in Check
When to Prune Holly
Aim to prune holly bushes before the plant starts growing in spring. In areas with freezing winters, prune in February or March before new shoots and leaves develop. In warmer regions, you can prune holly as early as January.
Pruning before the growing season paves the way for healthy growth in the coming year. Pruning spurs new growth. Cool spring temperatures and adequate moisture provide holly bushes with the resources they need to produce new stems and leaves.
Tips for Pruning Holly Bushes
Keep these tips in mind when pruning your holly bushes to help guide your cuts.
1. Remember that holly grows slowly.
While it is usually necessary to prune fast-growing shrubs like ninebark or spirea annually or even twice a year, holly might not need even a yearly trim. Rather than adhering to a strict schedule, let the plant and the planting site direct how often to prune holly bushes. If your holly is about to outgrow the space it is allocated in the landscape, that's when you should trim it back.
2. Look to nature for size and shape.
Most hollies look best when they can grow into their natural size and shape. Before pruning, have a good sense of the mature shape of your holly shrub. American holly, for example, has a strong pyramidal form, while petite ‘Gem Box’ inkberry holly has a round outline. Prune plants lightly to promote their natural shape.
Japanese holly, on the other hand, can tolerate heavy pruning well. Commonly sheared to create a formal hedge or neatly clipped into a topiary, Japanese holly is a unique, fast-growing holly. When pruned minimally, Japanese holly has a mounded, upright shape.
3. Remove dead or damaged wood.
Dead and damaged branches are an open door for pests and diseases to make their way into your plant, so prune them out as soon as you notice them. Cut the compromised branch back to healthy growth. Applying a wound sealant is unnecessary; the plant will quickly seal the wound naturally.
4. Cut out crossed branches.
Keep an eye out for crossing and rubbing branches. Over time, friction from these close-growing branches can wound the bark and lead to poor plant structure. More common on tree-form holly types and easier to spot on varieties that lose their leaves in winter, rubbing and crossing branches can be removed any time of the year. Choose the strongest, outward-growing branch and remove the companion branch back to the main stem or ground level.
5. Snip holiday greens anytime.
Snip all the branches of dark green, glossy holly leaves and twigs of red berries you want for holiday decor. Pruning fresh-cut greens and berry branches in late fall does not harm holly shrubs. Expect sprigs of fresh-cut evergreen holly to last for about a week indoors without water; when incorporated into an arrangement with water, holly can remain fresh and vibrant for more than two weeks.
6. Use the right tools.
Sharp tools are essential for making clean cuts on woody holly branches. A sharp pair of pruners will accomplish most light pruning tasks. Use a pair of loppers to cleanly cut branches that are more than about ½ inch in diameter.
The 8 Best Loppers of 2024 to Keep Your Yard Manicured
7. Renovate overgrown shrubs.
Fast-growing Japanese holly tolerates severe pruning well. This holly can be cut back to 2 feet tall in spring and regrow to form a pleasing shrub. Significant pruning like this is called renovation or renewal pruning. Not all hollies tolerate such severe pruning well, so make sure to check if your type of holly can be pruned this way before attempting it. Otherwise, it's best to never remove more than a third of the plant at a time.
8. Water well after pruning.
Pruning spurs plant growth, and good growth requires ample moisture. Water holly shrubs deeply after pruning. Water deeply again about one week later if conditions are dry.
