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Sacha[_1_] · 16-10-2006, 10:58 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 16/10/06 05:30, in article , "JennyC"
wrote:

"Sacha" wrote
, "Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote:
"JennyC" wrote
I have this straggly variegated holly tree that needs something doing
with
it to bush it out. it's about 6ft tall but very 'ratty' looking. When is
a
good time to prune it hard - now or spring??

--
Jenny (the Netherlands)

Did you mean tatty looking? Perhaps it's looking ratty cos it knows it is
about to be butchered:-) Prune holly anytime that suits you. It will
resprout with a vengeance. If you chop them down totally they resprout
from
the base with multiple shoots and form a nice pyramidal effect.

My only reservation would be "does it have berries on it that you want for
Christmas?" If not, do as you wish to it. They seem to be such thugs
that
very little upsets them.
Sacha

Not many berries, but the trimming will be good for arrangements at Xmas.
Will wait till then :~)
Jenny

The perfect compromise! Our best berrying holly looks rather sparse and
tatty and grows beside the churchyard wall almost unnoticed. But yesterday
I walked down the sloping path towards it and it is absolutely covered with
berries, glowing brightly in the gloom. It's best seen from the top of the
slope and if the birds don't get them all, we'll have loads for Christmas.
In fact, I think I'll net part of it!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/