Nellie Stevens Holly Ornamental Tree (Ilex Aquifolium 'Nellie Stevens')

Nellie Stevens Holly Ornamental Tree Description

The Nellie Stevens Holly is a striking evergreen ornamental tree known for its glossy, dark green foliage and robust growth habit. This hybrid holly, a cross between Ilex aquifolium and Ilex pernyi, typically reaches a height of 3–4.5 metres (10–15 feet) and can spread 2–3 metres (6–10 feet) wide, making it an excellent choice for a variety of garden settings, including hedges, borders, and standalone specimens. Its attractive appearance and dense growth make it a popular choice among gardeners and landscape designers.

The Nellie Stevens Holly features leathery, spiny-edged leaves that are a rich, deep green throughout the year. This lush foliage provides a vibrant backdrop in the garden, maintaining its colour even in the winter months. In spring, the tree produces small, inconspicuous white flowers that are often overlooked but serve to attract pollinators. These flowers are followed by abundant clusters of bright red berries in autumn and winter, which add a delightful splash of colour and serve as a valuable food source for birds and wildlife.

Pruning Advice

Pruning is an important aspect of maintaining the health and appearance of the Nellie Stevens Holly. The best time to prune is during late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. During this period, remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to promote healthy growth and improve air circulation within the canopy.

To encourage bushier growth and maintain a compact shape, light pruning can be performed after the flowering period. However, avoid excessive pruning, as this can stress the tree and reduce its overall vitality. Regular maintenance will help preserve the tree's form and enhance its ornamental qualities.

Further Information

Ornamental Value: The Nellie Stevens Holly is an attractive addition to any landscape, providing year-round interest with its evergreen foliage, flowers, and vibrant berries. Its upright growth habit and dense foliage make it ideal for creating privacy screens or hedges.

Wildlife Support: The berries produced by the Nellie Stevens Holly are a significant food source for birds, including robins and bluebirds, during the winter months. The tree also attracts pollinators with its spring flowers, contributing to local biodiversity.

Adaptability: This holly is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It prefers well-drained conditions and can tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils, making it a versatile choice for diverse planting environments.

Low Maintenance: Once established, the Nellie Stevens Holly requires minimal maintenance. It is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making it a reliable choice for urban and suburban gardens.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.