Q: We recently purchased an ‘Emily Bruner’ holly. It is about 8 ft tall and does not have any berries. After researching online, I’ve found that ‘James Swan’ is the recommended male pollinator. We have been unable to find ‘James Swan’ holly anywhere in the Atlanta area. Can we plant another variety of holly instead?

A: Auburn University has an excellent holly publication. It divides hollies into three pollination groups.

In it, I see that male hollies in Group 1 would pollinate any of the females in that group.

‘John Morris’ and ‘Edward Stevens’ are listed along with ‘James Swan’.