Question
Hi,

I live in zone 5.  I was thinking of planting three holly plants (the ones that have both male and female grafted together). My question is...can these plants be pruned to stay pretty small? I would like to keep them no more that 2 feet high by 2 feet wide. Also, do you think this would look nice opposite 3 dwarf alberta spruces (about 2 to 2 1/2 feet high). The 3 spruces and 3 hollies would be in a sort of triangular pattern and all the area in the middle with various perrenials or annuals

Thanks

Answer
Paul,
That sounds a lot like a planting I did several years ago on a new home.It was a formal style,with boxwoods(dwarf) and an Alberta Spruce.The boxwoods are still there but we have lost many an Alberta Spruce in my 20 years of landscaping here in zone 6,western Kentucky.Don't really know why,but we have a 50/50 chance of survival on them.And they don't come cheap either.They are hard to resist though.I love their slow growth habit and 0 trimming.IF they live.
Hollies are great for evergreen plantings,but you need to get a dwarf variety or you will be trimming way to often. Musser Forest Nursery is a place where you can look for different varieties on the internet.They have lots of evergreens of all types.They are also a good place to mail order from if you can't find what you are looking for locally.Hope this helps you! Have a great Spring and summer!