I am planting Winterberry... - Ask Extension
I am planting Winterberry Holly, I purchased a male and a female, southern gentleman and berry heavy holly. How far apart can I plant them? If I plan...
Knowledgebase
I am planting Winterberry... #174998
Asked April 14, 2014, 3:35 PM EDT
I am planting Winterberry Holly, I purchased a male and a female, southern gentleman and berry heavy holly. How far apart can I plant them? If I plant next to each other how close? Which can take more shade? Can I plant one in my back yard and one in my front yard? Will they still pollinate?
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
In general, a pollinating male holly needs to be within 500 feet of the female, but for Ilex verticillata, a distance of 15 feet is recommended.
If you decide to plant them beside each other, calculate their distance apart by adding together half of the ultimate width of each. (The width should be on the plant tag of each.) In a pinch, you can plant them closer together and let the branches intertwine. We don't know which can tolerate more shade.
We find that Jim Dandy is usually recommended as a pollenizer for Berry Heavy. You might want to check that out and possibly exchange your male holly so that it blooms at the same time as Berry Heavy.
ECN
If you decide to plant them beside each other, calculate their distance apart by adding together half of the ultimate width of each. (The width should be on the plant tag of each.) In a pinch, you can plant them closer together and let the branches intertwine. We don't know which can tolerate more shade.
We find that Jim Dandy is usually recommended as a pollenizer for Berry Heavy. You might want to check that out and possibly exchange your male holly so that it blooms at the same time as Berry Heavy.
ECN
