Good Needlepoint Holly Substitutes

Holly Options

• For those who must have holly, hedgerow options include several groups. Japanese holly cultivars such as Compacta and Beehive are shorter than the Needlepoint, with an average height of six feet. They have blue or black berries, rather than the more common red. Japanese hollies can tolerate heavy pruning, even to the ground. The Meserve hybrid holly cultivars such as Blue Girl and Blue Boy provide excellent ornamentals with a pyramid-shaped growth habit. Most retailers offering hollies feature these hybrids. With more judicious pruning, these hybrids can also be trained for a hedgerow.

Native Holly

• Look to native shrubs for the best cold tolerance and easy care. For homeowners looking for winter interest with foliage and berries, inkberry holly features sturdy leaf coloration and dark to black berries with high salt and drought resistance. This shrub can be used for hedgerows and tolerates heavy pruning. It is native from Maine down along the eastern seaboard to Florida and across the gulf coast as far as Texas. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9.

Evergreen Options

• For those homeowners not dedicated to holly, evergreen hedgerow options include the easily found arborvitae cultivars. Emerald Green makes an excellent hedge that requires very little pruning and fuss-free care. For best results with any of the arborvitae types, plant them close together, as they tend to grow in a columnar shape.