Robin Holly

About this plant

Ilex 'Robin' is a magnificent evergreen known for its striking red berries and deep green, glossy foliage. This hybrid holly combines the best traits of its parents, offering exceptional vigor and disease resistance, making it an excellent choice for a low-maintenance yet impactful landscape. Its dense, pyramidal growth habit makes it ideal for screens, hedges, or as a stately specimen plant. The abundant, bright red berries, which persist through winter, provide a stunning contrast against the dark green leaves and offer a valuable food source for birds. 'Robin' Holly is a perfect choice for adding enduring structure and vibrant color to any garden throughout all seasons, especially in the dormant winter months when much of the landscape is bare.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Plant in well-drained, acidic soil. 'Robin' Holly is relatively low maintenance once established. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and remove any dead or diseased branches. Fertilize annually in spring with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.