They don't need much care. They like acid soil, maybe that's why they aren't doing well? Is there a China Boy anywhere near? Without him, you get no berries...

Terry

Thanks Terry, and nopers -- no China Boys anywhere nearby.

All evergreen hollies in the midwest are under stress because of out normal climate, hot,dry summers and cold winters, they like neither of these conditions.I have great success with them and the secret is water! Evergreen hollies don't wilt like deciduous plants and most people asume they don't need water, then they drop all their leaves green. I have some very large china girl and boy hollies-about 4'x4' and they are beautiful. I make sure they are watered at least weekly and fertilized 2x per year. May and June, never later than July 15th. The healthier the plants are, the better they can withstand the stress of out midwest climate, and I am much farther north than you are . Almost to Wisconsin!

Under stress yes...but this isn't our normal climate! This weather is beating out 88 by a long shot. I didn't mention water because I assumed you knew to water :)

I had 2, 1 of each at another house. CG did great. CB kept getting smaller and smaller....I had someone tell me he wasn't a very good "stud". It was awhile ago that I had them, but I sure didn't know the difference between the 2 of them. I knew which was which coz I planted them and of course she had berries. Are you sure they were all CG's?

Can the China Girl be pollinated by any male holly, or just by the China Boy? Bought several China Girls recently, but the store had only Blue Prince for males. Will this work?

bump

Agent P, I found on another thread that Blue Prince should pollinate China Girl if you don't have access to China Boy.