Six months with Holly — what I actually learned

I brought Holly home six months ago with high hopes and almost no knowledge. The first challenge was understanding deadheading where appropriate to extend the flowering season — something I hadn't expected to matter so much. Once I got that right, the whole thing settled down.

I grow it in a wildlife garden with berrying and nectaring shrubs and the position has been ideal. wide range from ground-covering species to large specimens is what keeps drawing me back to it. winter bark and evergreen foliage interest was the moment that made me glad I persisted through the learning curve. One honest warning: box blight and box moth caterpillar on Buxus species caught me off guard in month two. Stay on top of it from the start.