Nellie Stevens Holly
Best evergreen choice for homeowners seeking fast-growing privacy and seasonal color.
Discover the Nellie Stevens Holly, a vigorous, fast-growing evergreen hybrid celebrated for its dense, pyramidal form and glossy, dark green leaves. This adaptable holly is perfect for creating impressive specimens, privacy screens, or hedges, reaching mature heights of 15 to 30 feet. Its abundant bright red berries provide striking seasonal color from fall through winter, attracting local birds and adding visual interest. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and accommodating various soil types, it offers reliable structure and year-round appeal to any landscape.
$249.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1072
/ 2693
#1072 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
+470%
Above average
Height
1530
/ to feet
Who it's for
- Homeowners seeking fast-growing, year-round privacy screens
- Gardeners wanting vibrant winter color and local wildlife
- Busy gardeners needing low-maintenance, resilient landscape plants
Who should skip it
- Owners of small yards with limited vertical space
- Gardeners who dislike handling sharp, spiny foliage
- Families with curious young children or foraging pets
Performance breakdown
Growth Rate
Rapid development makes this an ideal choice for quick privacy screening.
Screening Density
Dense, evergreen foliage creates a reliable, year-round natural barrier.
Environmental Adaptability
Thrives across diverse soil types and varying light conditions with ease.
Ornamental Appeal
Glossy leaves and vibrant winter berries provide consistent seasonal visual interest.
Wildlife Attraction
Abundant berry production serves as a reliable food source for birds.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal intervention once established due to its naturally vigorous habit.
Key Specs
Height
15 to 30 feet
Spread
8 to 12 feet
Foliage
Glossy dark green leaves
Form
Dense, pyramidal
Sun Exposure
Full sun to partial shade
Growth Rate
Fast
Container Size
10 gallon
Features
- Vigorous, fast-growing hybrid holly
- Abundant bright red berries in fall/winter
- Excellent specimen, hedge, or privacy screen
- Adaptable to various soil conditions
- Provides year-round structure and color
- Attracts birds
- Evergreen foliage
- Pyramidal shape
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly celebrate the superior quality of the Nellie Stevens Holly upon delivery. Reviewers frequently note the plants arrive exceptionally healthy, well rooted, and robustly packaged, minimizing transit stress. This high quality translates directly into reliable establishment and vigorous growth in the landscape. While some comments mention the initial size being modest, the plant's hardiness and quick growth trajectory consistently deliver long term satisfaction, confirming its reputation as a dependable, high performing landscape staple.
Know before you buy
This is a fast-growing hybrid that can typically add 2 to 3 feet of new growth per year under ideal conditions. Its rapid growth rate makes it an excellent choice if you are looking to establish a privacy screen or hedge in a relatively short amount of time.
No, the Nellie Stevens Holly is parthenocarpic, meaning it can produce its signature bright red berries without the need for a separate male pollinator. You will get reliable seasonal color even if it is the only holly in your landscape.
To create a dense, continuous privacy screen, space your plants approximately 6 to 8 feet apart on center. This allows the branches to grow together over time while still providing enough airflow for each individual tree.
Yes, it is quite adaptable and performs well in both full sun and partial shade. While it will maintain its densest, most pyramidal form in full sun, it will still grow vigorously and retain its deep green color in areas with filtered light.
It is a low-maintenance evergreen that requires very little pruning to maintain its natural, symmetrical shape. Once established, it is quite resilient and only needs occasional watering during extended dry spells.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$249