Nellie Stevens Holly Shrub
Best fast-growing choice for homeowners needing low-maintenance privacy screens.
The Nellie Stevens Holly Shrub is a popular, low-maintenance evergreen perfect for creating dense privacy screens. It boasts vigorous growth, adding up to 3 feet annually, and maintains its deep green foliage year-round. This adaptable shrub tolerates heat and drought, naturally forming a pyramidal shape that can be pruned for a formal look. In winter, it produces attractive red berries that also draw in local wildlife. Backed by a 60-day Alive & Thrive™ Guarantee, this holly offers reliable beauty and privacy with minimal effort.
$25.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-34%
Below average
Scientific Name
.
/ Ilex X 'Nellie R Stevens'
Who it's for
- Homeowners seeking immediate, year-round privacy and noise reduction
- Gardeners wanting vibrant winter color and local bird activity
- Busy landscapers needing low-maintenance, pest-resistant greenery
Who should skip it
- Owners of small yards with limited vertical space
- Gardeners who prefer low-maintenance, touch-friendly plants
- Families with curious young children or roaming pets
Performance breakdown
Privacy Screening
Dense foliage creates an effective, impenetrable barrier for residential landscapes.
Growth Velocity
Rapid vertical expansion delivers mature results in record time.
Maintenance Effort
Naturally pyramidal form requires very little pruning to look sharp.
Environmental Resilience
Thrives in harsh heat and drought conditions without constant coddling.
Year-Round Aesthetics
Deep green leaves and winter berries provide consistent seasonal visual interest.
Wildlife Attraction
Reliable berry production invites local birds into your garden space.
Key Specs
Scientific Name
Ilex X 'Nellie R. Stevens'
Mature Height
25 ft.
Mature Width
15 ft.
Growth Rate
Up to 3 feet per year
Sunlight Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
Foliage Type
Evergreen
Pollination
Self-pollinating
Soil Type Preference
Well-Drained
Features
- Creates dense privacy screens
- Fast growth rate
- Year-round deep green foliage
- Tolerates heat and drought
- Naturally dense, pyramidal shape
- Produces red winter berries
- Attracts beneficial wildlife
- Self-pollinating for reliable berries
What customers say
Customers express overwhelming satisfaction with the Nellie Stevens Holly Shrub, focusing primarily on its exceptional quality and rapid performance as a privacy screen. Reviewers consistently note the robust health and substantial size of the plants upon delivery, often exceeding expectations for online nursery stock. Excellent packaging ensures the foliage and root systems arrive intact, supporting a high post-planting survival rate. The shrubs establish quickly, fulfilling the promise of vigorous, fast growth for creating dense hedges. Customers appreciate the dark green foliage and the aesthetic appeal. This holly is highly recommended for its reliability and effectiveness as a low maintenance, year-round privacy solution that justifies the investment.
Know before you buy
This variety is known for its vigorous growth, adding up to 3 feet per year under ideal conditions. You can expect it to establish a dense screen relatively quickly compared to other evergreen shrubs.
No, the Nellie Stevens Holly is self-pollinating. A single plant is capable of producing its signature red berries on its own.
Very little. The shrub naturally grows into a dense, pyramidal form on its own. You only need to prune it if you prefer a more formal, manicured look or want to restrict its size.
Yes, it is highly adaptable and specifically noted for its tolerance to heat and drought once established. It is a reliable choice for regions where other evergreens might struggle.
Since the mature width is 15 feet, you should space them about 6 to 8 feet apart if you want them to grow together into a solid, dense wall. Planting them closer will create a screen faster, but may require more frequent pruning as they mature.
It performs best in full sun, but it is flexible and will also tolerate partial shade. Keep in mind that growth may be slightly slower and the foliage less dense in shadier spots.
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$26