Holly 'Schillings' (3 Gallon)

Schilling’s Holly (Ilex × ‘Schilling’s’) – Evergreen Elegance & Timeless Cheer

Bring year-round structure, festive charm, and meaningful tradition to your landscape with our Schilling’s Holly. This celebrated cultivar is prized for its glossy, deep-green foliage, bold red berries, and a naturally narrow, upright habit—perfect for adding vertical interest or creating a living hedge in your small-town garden.

What It Means:
Holly has long symbolized protection, goodwill, and hope through the seasons—especially in winter when its vibrant berries shine against the evergreen leaves. Planting a Schilling’s Holly signals a warm welcome to friends and family and embodies the kindness and community spirit we at Wright’s Market cherish.

When It Blooms & Berries:

• Bloom: Inconspicuous white flowers appear in spring (April–May), quietly preparing the way for berries.

• Berries: Rich red clusters ripen in late autumn and persist through winter, offering festive color and wildlife interest.

Where It Grows Best:

• USDA Zones: 6–9

• Light: Full sun to part shade (berries best with at least 4–6 hours of sun)

• Soil: Well-drained, organically rich, slightly acidic soil

• Placement: Lovely as a single specimen near an entryway, planted en masse as a privacy hedge, or mixed into a foundation border

Care Plan:

1. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season to establish strong roots; thereafter, water during extended dry spells.

2. Mulching: Apply a 2–3″ layer of organic mulch around the root zone (keeping it a few inches from the trunk) to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

3. Pruning: Lightly shear in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges to maintain shape; remove any crossing or damaged branches.

4. Feeding: In early spring, apply an evergreen-formulated, slow-release fertilizer to support foliage and berry production.

Best Companion Plants:

• Winter Jarvis Holly or ‘Winter Red’ Camellia for layered evergreen interest

• Heuchera (coral bells) and Hellebores for shade-tolerant spring blooms

• Ornamental Grasses (such as Miscanthus or Pennisetum) to soften the base and add movement

• Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’ for fragrant winter flowers and contrasting variegation

Invite the joyful beauty of Schilling’s Holly into your garden and celebrate the warmth of community through every season—because at Wright’s Market, we believe every plant tells a story of family, friendship, and kindness.