2.5 Gal – Soft Touch Holly(Ilex), Live Evergreen Shrub, Finely Textured Green Foliage

Description

Soft Touch Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’) is a versatile evergreen shrub that offers a unique alternative to traditional hollies. With its small, soft-to-the-touch leaves and compact form, it brings texture and interest to your landscape. Soft Touch Holly provides several compelling reasons to consider using it in your landscape design and requires minimal care. One of the main reasons to choose Soft Touch Holly for your landscape is its distinctive foliage. The small, rounded leaves are remarkably soft and have a lush, deep green color, adding a touchable and visually appealing element to your garden. Unlike some hollies, Soft Touch Holly lacks the sharp spines or prickly leaves, making it a safe and comfortable option for family-friendly landscapes. Soft Touch Holly’s compact form and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for small gardens, borders, or containers. Its mounding habit creates a neat and tidy appearance, requiring little to no pruning. This low-maintenance aspect makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a visually appealing shrub without the need for extensive care or maintenance. Caring for Soft Touch Holly is relatively easy. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. The shrub prefers well-drained soil but can tolerate a range of soil types. Regular watering is important, especially during the first growing season, to help the plant establish a strong root system.

• Mature Size: Soft Touch Holly typically grows to a mature height and width of 2 to 3 feet, forming a compact and mounding shape.
• USDA Growing Zone: This holly variety is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, making it suitable for a range of climates.
• Sun Exposure: Soft Touch Holly thrives in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade but will have the best growth and foliage color in areas that receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Watering Requirement: Regular watering is important, especially during the first growing season, to help the plant establish a strong root system. Once established, Soft Touch Holly has good drought tolerance but benefits from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods.
• Fertilization Information: Soft Touch Holly is not a heavy feeder. However, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to provide additional nutrients. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and methods. Avoid excessive fertilization, as it can lead to excessive growth or nutrient imbalances.
• Pruning: Soft Touch Holly typically requires minimal pruning. Light pruning can be done in early spring to shape the shrub or remove any dead or damaged branches. However, the compact form of Soft Touch Holly usually maintains its attractive shape without extensive pruning.
• Soil Preference: Soft Touch Holly prefers well-drained soil but can tolerate a range of soil types. It is adaptable to both sandy and clay soils. Adding organic matter, such as compost, to the planting area can improve soil fertility and drainage.
• Placing a large order? Consider ordering 1-2 plants to ensure that they will meet your specifications before placing the order for the entire project
• Ships from Alabama – Customers beyond the Southeast US should place orders from early fall to late spring to avoid heat damage in transit
• Know When to Prune Shrubs.”
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