Nellie Stevens Holly

Nellie R Stevens Holly

Nellie R. Stevens Holly (Latin name: Ilex x 'Nellie R Stevens') is a hybrid evergreen shrub, tall and lovely, with a glossy, deep green to blue-green, broad leaf. It can reach a maximum height of 25 to 30 feet with a broad base, measuring about fifteen feet across, and a narrow top. It presents in the classic "Christmas tree" shape.

It holds its beautiful color year-round, and many prizes the evergreen clippings, using the greenery and the small berries it produces for wreath-making and winter holiday decorating.

The Nellie R. Stevens holly loves a warm climate; it grows best in USDA planting zones 6 through 9 and prefers a partially sunny or full sun location.

The Origins of the Nellie R Stevens Holly

The Nellie R. Stevens Holly is named for its original growing location, Oxford, Maryland, the garden of a schoolteacher by the same name. The shrub is a hybrid of two ever-popular hollies: the Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) and the English holly (Ilex aquifolium)

The hybridization of these two species gives the Nellie R. Stevens holly some of the most vigorous traits of each:

• It is a fast grower, adding three or more feet each growing season.
• It's drought-resistant, requires little water, and can tolerate hot weather.
• It is frost tolerant, surviving the occasional frosts that may occur even in warmer climates.

Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R Stevens') Is a Beautiful Specimen

Nellie R Stevens holly is large, so be sure to give it some growing room--at least six feet from other trees or shrubs. The leaves average about four inches long and a broad three inches wide. They're dark green, glossy, and have spiny edges.

The tree grows into its triangular shape naturally, without needing any "training" or fuss. If you need to prune it, Nellie R Stevens will heal quickly and continue to grow.

Order Your Nellie R Stevens Holly from TN Nursery Today

TN Nursery proudly offers the lovely, hardy Nellie R Stevens holly--place your order with us today.