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Emerald Colonnade Holly
Emerald Colonnade Holly
Emerald Colonnade Holly
Emerald Colonnade Holly
Emerald Colonnade Holly
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Evergreen Shrub

Emerald Colonnade® Holly

5.0/5 11 reviews
Will it grow where you live?

Zones 7-9

Size: 3-4 ft
$135

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1-year guaranteeShips in 1–5 daysReal plant experts

From our farm to your front door

  • Shipped in its nursery pot, so the roots stay undisturbed
  • Soil secured so it stays put in transit
  • Packed so the plant stays steady on the way to you

At a glance

Leaves
Evergreen: keeps its leaves all year
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Moderate growth rate; reaches a mature height of 10-12 feet and width of 4-8 feet in natural form.
Botanical name
Ilex x 'RutHol1'
Hardiness
Zones 7-9
Tolerates
Cold hardyHeat tolerantHumidity tolerantDrought tolerantWind tolerant
USDA zone map for Emerald Colonnade® Holly

Where it grows in the groundShaded areas are the zones where it can be planted outdoors.

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What customers are saying

5.0
out of 5 · 11 verified reviews

Why customers love it

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

Delivered to your door

Skip the nursery trip. Very little car Tetris required.

Goodbye, noisy neighbors

A living screen that blocks the view, softens the sound and looks better than a fence.

1-year guarantee

If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.

Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Sun
Full Sun

Pick the spot before you dig.

Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry

Water slowly and deeply. Check more often in its first summer.

Grows in
Zones 7-9

Enter your ZIP above to check your zone.

Your first year together

  1. 1Day 1

    Plant it, then water slowly until the whole root ball is soaked.

  2. 2First few weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots settle in.

  3. 3First summer

    Water deeply during hot, dry spells.

  4. 4Next spring

    New growth starts. Feed as it wakes up.

Planting instructions
For best results, plant Emerald Colonnade® Holly in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil and firm it around the root ball. Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the trunk to avoid rot. With these steps, your Emerald Colonnade® Holly should be well on its way to becoming a garden centerpiece.
Watering & sunlight
Emerald Colonnade® Holly is relatively low-maintenance when it comes to its watering and sunlight needs. It thrives in full sun and requires watering once a week, although more frequent hydration may be necessary during hot, dry periods. Its moderate water and sunlight requirements make it a hassle-free addition to any garden.

Care guide

PRUNING:
Prune Emerald Colonnade® Holly in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.

FERTILIZING:
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Although hardy, mulch around the base before the first frost to protect roots and retain soil moisture during winter.

What does "Jumbo" mean?

Our Jumbo Emerald Colonnade Holly are grown in 10-gallon containers or 15-gallon containers and are more mature than regular sizes, with a wider overall profile, fuller foliage, a larger rootball, and greater overall maturity. Compared to standard options, Jumbo trees feel more established at planting time and provide a more substantial presence right away.

Regular sizes are grown in 3 or 5-gallon containers. These trees are healthy and well-rooted but are narrower and less mature than Jumbo sizes and will continue to develop after planting.

The difference between regular and Jumbo sizes is in width, fullness, rootball size, and overall maturity. Jumbo Emerald Colonnade Holly are a great choice if you want a fuller look sooner while maintaining the naturally upright growth habit of this variety.

Shipping:
Jumbo Emerald Colonnade Holly are shipped burlapped, with the rootball carefully wrapped and secured with a zip tie to protect the roots and keep the tree stable during transit.

Regular sizes are shipped in their nursery pots, with the rootball wrapped in a protective plastic liner and secured with a zip tie to keep soil contained, the tree stable, and the box clean during shipping.

Shipping & what's inside

Your plant ships in its nursery pot with the soil secured, packed so it stays steady on the way to you.

1-year guarantee

Every plant is covered by our 1-year guarantee. If something goes wrong, contact our team and we'll walk you through it.

Answered by Simply Trees plant experts
How big does an Emerald Colonnade Holly get?
Emerald Colonnade Holly typically grows 10–12 feet tall and about 4–8 feet wide. It has a naturally narrow, columnar shape, making it ideal for tight spaces, privacy screens, or vertical accents.
How fast does the Emerald Colonnade Holly grow?
Emerald Colonnade Holly is a moderate grower, typically adding about 6 to 12 inches per year under ideal conditions.
Where is the best place to plant Emerald Colonnade Holly?
Plant Emerald Colonnade Holly in a location that receives full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. It performs best with at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily and protection from harsh, drying winds.
How far apart should I plant Emerald Colonnade Holly?
For a privacy screen or hedge, plant Emerald Colonnade Holly about 4–5 feet apart to allow them to grow together into a dense, uniform screen. For more space between plants, 6–8 feet apart works well.
What is the best climate for Emerald Colonnade Holly?
Emerald Colonnade Holly thrives in USDA Zones 7–9. It does best in moderate climates with well-draining soil and can tolerate both heat and humidity once established.
How do I prune Emerald Colonnade Holly bushes?
Prune Emerald Colonnade Holly in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light trimming throughout the growing season can help maintain its narrow shape. Remove any dead or damaged branches and avoid heavy pruning, as it naturally maintains a tidy, upright form.
Do Emerald Colonnade Hollies have berries?
No. The Emerald Colonnade Holly is exclusively a male holly, which means it does not produce berries. Male hollies provide pollen that helps nearby female holly varieties produce berries, but they will not develop berries themselves.
What is the coldest temperature Emerald Colonnade Hollies can tolerate?
Emerald Colonnade Holly is cold hardy down to about -10°F once established. It can handle typical winter conditions within its growing zones but may benefit from protection during extreme cold snaps, especially when newly planted.
Why are the leaves on my Emerald Colonnade Holly turning brown?
Browning leaves are most commonly caused by environmental stress, such as inconsistent watering, poor drainage, winter burn, or transplant shock. It can also happen if the plant was installed too deep. Be careful not to underplant your holly—always keep the top of the root ball slightly above or level with the surrounding soil to prevent suffocation and moisture issues.
How far from a house should holly bushes be planted?
Plant Emerald Colonnade Holly at least 2–3 feet away from a house or structure. This allows room for mature growth, proper air circulation, and easy maintenance while preventing crowding against walls or foundations. When planting, be careful not to underplant—position the root ball at or slightly above soil level to ensure proper drainage and healthy root development.
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