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Soft Touch Holly Shrub
Soft Touch Holly Shrub Evergreen
Soft Touch Holly Shrub
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Evergreen Shrub

Soft Touch Holly Shrub

Will it grow where you live?

Zones 5-9

Size: 3 gallon
$55

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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, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Slow to moderate growth rate. Reaches 2–3 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide at maturity.
Botanical name
Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’
Hardiness
Zones 5-9
Tolerates
Cold hardyHumidity tolerantWind tolerant
USDA zone map for Soft Touch Holly Shrub

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

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What customers are saying

Why customers love it

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

Delivered to your door

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Ask us anything before or after planting.

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Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

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 5-9

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
Plant Soft Touch Holly in well-drained, slightly acidic soil in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant level with the surrounding soil. Backfill firmly, water thoroughly, and apply mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Continue watering regularly during the first growing season to ensure healthy establishment.
Watering & sunlight
Water once a week during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, water every 7–10 days, increasing frequency during extreme heat or drought. Soft Touch Holly grows best in full sun to partial shade. It maintains the densest growth when planted in locations with morning sun and some afternoon protection.
Care guide

PRUNING:
Minimal pruning is required due to its naturally compact shape. Light trimming in late winter or early spring can be done to maintain size and form.

FERTILIZING:
Feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring. Maintaining slightly acidic soil helps support healthy foliage color. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Soft Touch Holly is cold-hardy, but applying mulch around the base helps protect roots during harsh winters. In windy areas, protection from drying winter winds is beneficial.

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 the Soft Touch Holly get?
Soft Touch Holly typically reaches 2–3 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, forming a naturally rounded, compact shrub.
How fast does Soft Touch Holly grow?
Soft Touch Holly has a slow to moderate growth rate, gradually filling in over several seasons.
Does Soft Touch Holly stay green year-round?
Yes, Soft Touch Holly is evergreen, providing consistent greenery throughout all seasons.
Does Soft Touch Holly produce berries?
Soft Touch Holly may produce small black berries if both male and female plants are present, though berry production is uncommon and not a primary ornamental feature.
What kind of sunlight does Soft Touch Holly need?
Soft Touch Holly grows best in full sun to partial shade, with protection from intense afternoon sun in hotter climates.
How often should I water Soft Touch Holly?
Water weekly during the first growing season. Once established, water every 7–10 days, increasing frequency during prolonged heat or drought.
Is Soft Touch Holly good for hedges or borders?
Yes, Soft Touch Holly is excellent for low hedges, borders, and foundation plantings due to its compact size and dense growth.
Is Soft Touch Holly deer resistant?
Soft Touch Holly is moderately deer resistant, though no plant is completely deer-proof if food sources are limited.
What type of soil does Soft Touch Holly prefer?
Soft Touch Holly prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter.
Does Soft Touch Holly require frequent pruning?
No, Soft Touch Holly naturally maintains a compact, rounded shape and requires very little pruning. Occasional light trimming in late winter or early spring is enough to keep it tidy if desired.
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