How to Keep a Holly Bush Alive

Find a planting site in full to part sun. Hollies grow fullest and produce the most berries when grown in a sunny location. Holly bushes prefer organic, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Soggy soil can cause root rot. Add compost or peat moss to the soil to increase organic content and improve soil drainage. If drainage is a problem in your yard, plant your holly bush in a raised bed to promote drainage. In colder regions, plant bushes in an eastern or southern exposure to protect against harsh winter weather.

Dig a hole twice as wide and about the same height as the holly bush container. Carefully remove the plant from the container and score around the root ball with a sharp knife. Use your fingers to gently loosen the roots. Bury the root ball at the same depth as it was in the container and backfill with soil, then water in deeply.

Place a thick layer of organic mulch such as bark or pine straw around the base of the bush. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture and deters the growth of weeds. Keep young holly bushes well watered and do not let them dry out. Newly planted bushes are especially susceptible to drought the first couple of years.

Fertilize young plants in late fall with a fertilizer developed for acid-loving plants. Do not overfertilize. High nitrogen levels in the soil inhibit the production of flowers and berries.

Prune your holly bush lightly in late fall or early winter to promote new growth.

Check your holly bush for the presence of insects such as mites, leaf miners and scales. If insects are a problem, treat plants with a horticultural oil spray when temperatures are between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.