The European holly is one of the garden plants that does not require any pruning for he althy growth. However, you can shape the Ilex with a targeted and considered cut or use it as a Christmas decoration.
How should you prune a holly?
When pruning a holly, you should be careful and deliberate as it grows slowly. Cut back the hedge plant once a year and use sharp, clean tools. Japanese holly is good for bonsai.
This is what you should consider when cutting your holly
If the holly is intended to serve as a privacy screen, be careful when cutting it, then the Ilex will only grow about 15 cm per year. Only use clean and, above all, sharp cutting tools, otherwise the branches will be more likely to be bruised than cut.
The holly as a Christmas decoration
In many countries such as England or France, the winter branches of holly with the bright red berries are a popular Christmas decoration. They are also really very decorative. Unfortunately, the pretty berries are very poisonous to humans. Be sure to destroy any fallen berries immediately so that small children do not put them in their mouths.
However, the fruits are also an important feed for many native bird species. So leave enough berries for the birds to eat. As a thank you, the birds ensure that your Ilex multiplies through their droppings. However, it takes a lot of time for germination, so you need a lot of patience until the first young plants appear.
The holly as a hedge plant
Both European and Japanese holly are well suited for planting a hedge. However, the Japanese holly is not as hardy as the European holly. However, both species are poisonous and should not necessarily be kept within the reach of small children. Eating the berries can also be potentially fatal for many pets.
The holly as a bonsai
The Japanese holly is particularly suitable for a bonsai. It has smaller leaves than the European holly and a nice, compact habit. It is also very easy to cut, but also grows very slowly. In a mild area, you can also grow the Japanese holly as an outdoor bonsai, an ornament in a Japanese-style garden, for example.
The most important things in brief:
- grows very slowly
- just cut back carefully
- Prune the hedge once a year
- very decorative Christmas decorations
- always use clean and sharp tools
- popular winter food for local birds
- Japanese holly particularly suitable as a bonsai
Tip
Don't prune your holly too often, it grows slowly. For a holly hedge, one cut per year is sufficient.
