How to Transplant Burford Holly

Burford holly (Ilex cornuta "Burfordii") is a shrub that can reach over 15 feet in height when not pruned back. These shrubs grow in landscapes or are trained into small, tree-shaped plants along walkways. Burford hollies are drought-tolerant and produce glossy, dark green leaves with a single spine on the tip. Showy white flower clusters appear in the spring followed by plump red berries that hang onto the branches throughout the fall and winter. The best time to transplant Burford holly is in the early spring while the shrub is still dormant.

Shovel
Plastic tarp
garden hose
Organic mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Pick an area with good drainage and full to partial sunlight for growing your Burford holly. Dig the soil to a depth of 36 inches in a circle 3 feet across with a shovel. Remove any rocks and large root masses. Break the soil up with the edge of the shovel.
- 2
  Dig a trench around your Burford holly 12 inches beyond the drip line of the branches. Work the shovel under the root ball and lift the holly plant out of its hole. Pick the plant up by the root ball, not the stem, and place the plant on a plastic tarp.
- 3
  Dig a hole in the prepared area that is as deep as the root ball and 24 inches wider. Place your Burford holly into the hole and adjust the depth by adding or removing soil under the root ball. Set the plant no deeper than its previous growing height.
- 4
  Water your Burford holly liberally at the base of the shrub and let it soak into the ground. Repeat this two more times so the holly plant settles into its new home. Fill the hole with soil but do not compact soil around the root ball.
- 5
  Create a ring around the root zone with the remaining soil 4 to 5 inches deep. Fill the ring with water. Irrigate the holly shrub once a week. Cover the area with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch, such as straw, sawdust or compost. Keep the mulch 6 inches away from the trunk.

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