How Hollies Spring Clean: Shedding

Sue Hunter, Owner, Heartwood Nursery

As many of you know, Hollies are one of our specialties at Heartwood Nursery. Each spring we hear from customers who are worried because while they see leaves coming out on other trees, they see some leaves on their Holly turning yellow and dropping off.  

American Holly starting to shed leaves this spring

If this is happening to your Holly, don't worry! Your Holly isn't sick or dying. It’s just going through its natural, yearly spring leaf-shedding process. 

Rather than shedding leaves in the fall, all evergreen Hollies naturally shed their older leaves in the spring.  When Hollies lose leaves in the spring, it means new growth will emerge soon.

This spring, Holly leaf shedding is heavier than usual, due to the prolonged extreme cold temperatures we had this winter. In some situations, it may appear that complete defoliation is occurring. In most cases, Hollies recover by mid-summer.

Spring leaf shedding has no negative effect on Holly flowering or fruit set. The fruit of female American Holly is an excellent food source for many birds in the winter. Male American Holly flowers attract many beneficial insects in the spring. These are among many reasons I consider American Holly the crown jewel of horticulture.

Some Hollies show a natural genetic predisposition for less spring leaf shedding.

Native selections of Hollies that fall into this category include the American Hollies (Ilex opaca) 'Martha's Vineyard', 'Dan Fenton' (female), 'Boiler Boy', and 'Sundown', the 2026 Holly Society of America Holly of the Year, to name a few.

Hardy non-invasive, non-native Hollies such as Ilex koehneana and Ilex pedunculosa also consistently show minimal spring leaf shedding. 

It should be mentioned that although the non-native evergreen 'Nellie Stevens' Holly has been a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers for decades, this winter proved what Holly growers have been saying for years: 'Nellie Stevens' is not that cold-hardy in USDA zones 6 and 7. 

This photo shows extreme winter damage on 'Nellie Stevens' that occurred in January 2026. As temperatures rise, this tree will shed all its leaves. It will likely take 2-3 years to recover.

American Holly on left and winter damaged 'Nellie Stevens' nonnative Holly on right, January 2026

Consider adding deer-resistant and cold hardy American Hollies to your property for beautiful, year-round environmental sustenance.

The Heartwood Holly Arboretum: Over 300 mature Hollies, beautiful year round