Many homeowners enjoy using holly branches for festive decorations like garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces. The good news is you can harvest your own without harming the plant – with the right approach. Whether you have deciduous winterberry or evergreen English holly, timing and technique matter.
Understanding Holly Types and Pruning Times
There are two main categories of hollies used in landscaping and holiday decor. Deciduous hollies, like winterberry, produce berries on new growth and thrive when pruned in winter. Evergreen hollies, like English holly, bloom on older wood, making late winter or early spring the best pruning time. Pruning evergreen varieties at the wrong time can reduce berry production the following year. However, both types can be safely harvested before the holidays if you follow guidelines.
The Best Time to Prune for Decorating
According to experts at the Morton Arboretum, it’s best to wait until consistently cold weather arrives before pruning hollies for decorations. This ensures the plant is fully dormant, reducing the risk of forcing new growth that could be damaged by frost.
How to Prune Healthily
To avoid harming your plant:
- Don’t over-prune: Take only what you need for decorations.
- Prune healthy plants: Weak plants may suffer further stress from pruning.
- Limit harvesting: Never remove more than one-third of the plant’s stems and berries in a single season.
- Cut correctly: Use sharp, sterilized bypass pruners or loppers, making cuts at leaf nodes.
- Shape evenly: Work around the bush to maintain an even appearance as you gather branches.
Additional Holly Care Tips for Winter
To ensure long-term health and abundant berry production:
- Water sparingly: Hollies need little water until the ground freezes.
- Mulch: Apply a 2–4 inch layer of mulch to protect roots from cold.
- Insulate new plantings: Wrap burlap around young plants to shield them from dry winter winds.
- Protect potted plants: Move containers indoors or into sheltered spaces.
Alternative Natural Decorations
If you want to minimize pruning, supplement with other seasonal finds:
- Conifers: Pine, spruce, and fir branches are perfect for wreaths and displays (avoid toxic yew).
- Birch: Use branches and logs for crafts and ornaments.
- Pinecones: Transform them with paint, glitter, or ribbon.
- English Ivy: Offers natural draping for indoor arrangements.
Proper pruning and care will ensure your holly plants remain healthy and productive for years to come, providing you with beautiful decorations every winter.
