How do I prune a holly bush?

Answer 1

From the inside out. They are really tree so you'll find one or just a couple of main stems inside with many lateral branches. If you can physically get inside look at the lateral branching pattern and think "tree." Strive for good lateral branching around the trunk(s). Eliminate those that are too close and rub. Once you have a good branching pattern inside that isn't too crowded, you can come outside and do some thinning there. To thin, take the offender and remove it back at it's "insertion" that is where it started. That may be further than you expected. This opens the shrub up allow light deeper into the plant. Finally you a bit of tip pruning, that is cutting back the ends to a side branch or bud. Tip pruning should never be the dominate pruning cut..........which is exactly what you get when you use a hedge clipper. Tip pruning causes a dense tip growth at the expense and health of deeper growth down the limb or interior.

Answer 2

Yes - holly bushes are very resilient. This is a good time of year to do it. Drastic pruning of any shrub is best done in the early spring or late fall. I have pruned my holly bushes from almost five feet to less than three feet and they are as beautiful as ever. Good luck!