{"product_id":"nellie-r-stevens-holly","title":"Nellie R. Stevens Holly","description":"\u003ch1\u003eNellie R. Stevens Holly\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIlex\u003c\/em\u003e × 'Nellie R. Stevens'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 3px solid #E87722; border-radius: 6px; padding: 16px; margin: 16px 0; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBEST VALUE: Premium 3 Gallon — Landscape Ready\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNursery grown to landscape size. Professional quality, faster establishment, ready to anchor your privacy screen from day one.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 3px solid #27AE60; border-radius: 6px; padding: 16px; margin: 16px 0; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFILL MY BOX \u0026amp; SAVE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBuy 2 or more Nellie R. Stevens Holly and save 15% automatically at checkout. No code needed.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Nellie R. Stevens Holly is Trending in Gardens Today!\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne of the most trusted broadleaf evergreens for fast, dense privacy screens in Zones 6–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNaturally pyramidal form looks intentional — no heavy pruning required to maintain shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlossy dark green foliage holds color year-round, even through Southern heat and humidity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBright red berries ripen in fall and persist into winter for seasonal interest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRapid growth rate for a holly — recommended by NC State, Missouri Botanical Garden, and UF\/IFAS\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat This Plant Does For You\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome privacy plants grow fast but look thin, ragged, or brown when conditions get tough. Nellie R. Stevens Holly gives you a more polished solution: rich evergreen foliage, naturally dense branching, and a broad pyramidal form that looks intentional in both formal and relaxed landscapes. Plant a row to soften a fence line, hide a neighboring view, or create a living green boundary around your outdoor space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the inconspicuous spring flowers fade, bright red berries develop and ripen in fall — adding seasonal color to a plant that already earns its keep as a year-round screen. Once established, it handles heat, periodic drought, and a range of soil textures with minimal intervention. This is a privacy screen that looks like a landscape, not a temporary fix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Commonly 15–25 ft tall × 8–15 ft wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, upright, broad pyramidal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e USDA 6–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade; best density and berry production in more sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular while establishing; drought tolerant once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to clay, loam, or sand with good drainage; prefers slightly acidic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBerries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright red, fall into winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd Nellie R. Stevens Holly to Your Landscape →\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePremium Features \u0026amp; Solutions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur nursery grown Nellie R. Stevens Holly arrives as a well-rooted, landscape-ready 3 Gallon specimen. The established root system settles in faster and begins building your privacy screen sooner than a bare-root or smaller starter plant. This is the full-size cultivar — plan for 15–25 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide at maturity. Give it room and it will reward you with one of the most reliable evergreen screens available for warm and humid regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a dense screen, space plants approximately 8 feet apart trunk to trunk. For a broader, more natural long-term screen with less pruning, allow 10–12 feet between plants. This female cultivar can set some fruit without a nearby male holly; for the heaviest berry display, plant a compatible male holly nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSmart Growing Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeginner Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a site in full sun to partial shade with soil that drains after rain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the surrounding grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil, water thoroughly, and apply 2–3 inches of mulch without piling it against the trunk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater regularly during the first growing season whenever the soil begins to dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrune in winter or early spring to shape — minimal pruning is needed to maintain the natural pyramidal form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePreferred soil pH: slightly acidic; test before amending and avoid over-fertilizing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer labeled for hollies or acid-loving plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYellow foliage can indicate alkaline soil or a root-zone problem — test before repeatedly feeding a struggling plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrune in winter or early spring; avoid heavy pruning after spring flowering if berry production is a priority.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor a formal hedge, shear as needed — Nellie Stevens responds well to shearing and can also be limbed up as a small tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn Zone 6, use a protected site away from harsh winter wind and exposed conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro Tips for Maximum Impact\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants 8 ft on center for a dense screen; 10–12 ft for a broader, lower-maintenance row at maturity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant count estimate: 24 linear feet = ~3 plants; 40 ft = ~5 plants; 64 ft = ~8 plants at 8-foot spacing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with a compatible male holly nearby to maximize red berry production in fall and winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch the root zone each spring to conserve moisture and reduce competition during establishment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtect young plants where deer pressure is high — reports on deer resistance conflict, so don’t treat it as deer proof.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does Nellie Stevens Holly grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExtension sources describe it as rapid to vigorous for a holly. Actual annual growth depends on sunlight, soil, water, climate, and establishment. A guaranteed fixed feet-per-year rate is not supported by institutional sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow far apart should I plant them?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse approximately 8-foot centers for a dense screen or 10–12 feet for a broader, more natural row. Crowding plants closer may produce faster visual coverage but creates more competition and pruning work as plants mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need a male pollinator?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can produce some berries without a male pollinizer. Planting a compatible male holly nearby can improve the quantity and consistency of fruit production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat zones does it grow in?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUSDA Zones 6–9. Zone 6 is the documented cold edge of its range — use a protected site in colder Zone 6 locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDo not treat it as deer proof. Reports conflict: NC State describes it as mildly resistant, while other sources indicate deer may browse it. Protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it grow in shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt grows in full sun to partial shade. More sun generally supports denser growth and better berry production. Dense shade is not preferred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it grow in wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlant it in well-drained soil and avoid persistently wet sites. Hollies in poorly drained soil are more vulnerable to root diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the berries poisonous?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe berries are ornamental, not edible. Holly fruit can cause vomiting and other symptoms if eaten. Keep away from small children and pets — holly is listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does the Fill My Box discount work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdd 2 or more Nellie R. Stevens Holly to your cart and save 15% automatically at checkout — no code needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it smaller with pruning?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Nellie Stevens responds well to shearing and can be maintained as a hedge. Begin shaping before the plant becomes severely overgrown and plan for its naturally broad base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 3px solid #C0392B; border-radius: 6px; padding: 16px; margin: 16px 0; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTake Action Now\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNursery grown. Landscape ready. Ships to your door.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd to Cart and Build Your Privacy Screen →\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrdering \u0026amp; Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe ship to most US states (excluding AK, HI, and PR). Orders are packed carefully to protect your plant in transit. Unpack promptly on arrival, check soil moisture, and water if dry. Contact us within 24 hours of delivery with photos if you have any concerns about arrival condition.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Factory Direct","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon 22-26\" Tall","offer_id":51306695786532,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0595\/8759\/2228\/files\/nellierstevens-specimen.png?v=1787689843","url":"https:\/\/plantfactorydirect.com\/products\/nellie-r-stevens-holly","provider":"Plant Factory Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}