Hollies shrubs and trees do not have berries because they are male. Many, and I mean many years ago it was recommended to plant one male holly for every 4 female, but no longer particularly in the south where there so many yaupon hollies use as foundation plants.

But there are other reasons. I mention these other reasons because I receive this question a lot this time of year.

If the moisture is not correct the berries will drop. Keep the moisture correct by maintaining 2 to 4 inches of mulch under shrubs and irrigating when no rainfall has occur in 5 to 7 days in the summer, 7 to 10 days in the fall and spring and 10 to 15 days in the winter.

Do not cut flowers off. Holly flower each spring. If you prune hollies any time after the shrubs flower, you are cutting off the berries. Always prune in late winter before the new growth starts. This is very common even by landscape professionals. Flowers and therefore the berries on grow on new growth. If you prune back to the same place every year, you will not have berries.

Cedar wax wings eat all my berries. This is not your problem because the cedar wax wings come through later. But I just wanted you to know this happens. Once the berries are the correct ripeness, the cedar wax wings eat every berry with a few hours.

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