Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This strong pyramidal grower is one of the most stunning of all the hollies. Nellie R. Stevens Holly, Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens', grows fast and remains strong. Its bright red berries appear without a male pollinizer. It is easy to care for, the birds love it, and it grows fast! This evergreen will give you the privacy you need all year around!
This outstanding evergreen has deep green leather like foliage. Its berries appear from tiny cream white flowers in the late fall to early winter. It grows at an impressive rate of up to three feet per year. When planted in multiples as a screen for privacy, this shrub can grow to be 25 feet high. When planted alone, it reaches a height of up to 35 feet. The spread of the Nellie R. Stevens Holly can reach 15 feet. It will produce some berries without a male pollinizer. For more plentiful berries, plant a pollinizer (Chinese Holly ) in proximity. This Holly is grown for its foliage and berries. It makes a wonderful plant for privacy purposes as a screen, hedge, and wind barrier. Plant as a focal point in your landscape for year-round enjoyment.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly Care
The Nellie R. Stevens Holly should be watered regularly and more often in extreme heat. It can tolerate short periods of drought once established. It prefers to be planted in part sun ensuring some afternoon shade is received. Soil should be slightly acidic and organically enriched. While highly adaptable to most soils, plant in moist well drained soil for best results. Overly wet soils should be avoided. Apply general fertilizer in the spring. Prune yearly to shape or maintain size.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly Spacing
The Nellie R. Stevens Holly grows very tall and wide. Proper spacing is imperative. For a dense hedge plant 5’ to 6’ feet apart, center on center.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 6 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Part Sun (3-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 15-25 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 10-15 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Flower Description
- White
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Fall Interest, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Nellie R. Stevens Holly
- Botanical Name
- Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!