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The Daily Insight

How far north does holly grow?

Author

Christopher Pierce

Published Jun 02, 2026

How far north does holly grow?

Evergreen hollies at a glance A male plant must grow within 30 to 40 feet of a female for good fruit production. There are hollies that will grow as far north as USDA Hardiness Zone 3 and as far south as Zone 11. Most hollies prefer full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soils.

Where is the best place to plant holly bushes?

The best location for planting holly bushes is in well-drained but not dry, slightly acidic soil in full sun. That being said, most hollies are very tolerant of less than ideal locations and will grow well in part shade or dry or swampy soil.

Where does holly like to grow?

Most hollies are easily cultivated in sun or half-shade in an average garden soil, alkaline to acidic, avoiding extremes of wet or dry. Most evergreen hollies flower in spring, in the leaf axils of the previous year’s shoots. The flowers are small, with four petals.

Do holly shrubs have deep roots?

Holly shrubs have rather shallow root systems, so you do not have to dig deeply to reach the bottom of the root ball. Once the holly shrub is dug out, quickly move the shrub to its new location.

Do you need holly bushes in your yard?

Growing holly bushes in your yard can add structure and a splash of color in the winter and a lush, green backdrop for other flowers in the summer. Because they are such popular plants, many people have questions about the care of holly bushes.

Can a plant grow on the north side of a building?

In the northern hemisphere, sunlight rarely reaches the north side of a building, causing any plants growing there to live in near-perpetual shadow. Fortunately, some popular plants are well-adapted to the shady life.

What kind of problems can holly bushes have?

When planted in optimal conditions, hollies are generally free of major problems. Possible diseases include root rot, leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot, canker, and powdery mildew. Insect pests include holly leaf miner, bud moth, nematodes, spider mites, white fly, or scale.

What kind of bushes can I plant on the north side of my house?

Yews, in particular, can take near-total shade, while cedars need a bit more sunlight. Juniper bushes also work on the north side of a house, as long as they get a couple hours of sunlight a day. Some species of deciduous shrubs can tolerate partial shade, so if the north side of your home gets a little sunlight, almost anything will do.