Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Ilex × 'Nellie R. Stevens'
A go-to thick evergreen hedge for strong privacy — dense, dependable, and well-suited for customers who want a classic privacy screen.
Growth stages at a glance
These visuals are planning examples. Actual plant size, fullness, and growth depend on nursery availability, variety, pruning, site conditions, weather, watering, and care.
3-gallon starter
Smallest common starting size — budget-friendly for longer runs.
Typically offers the longest timeline to a solid visual screen.
5-gallon standard
Our most common homeowner starting size for privacy hedges.
Often selected as the balance of cost and reasonable early structure.
15-gallon fast start
Larger starter for faster day-one presence along the line.
Can shorten the wait for structure, but still not instant privacy.
Mid-maturity screen
Planning example of a developing privacy row.
Gaps often close as plants fill in — timing depends on spacing and care.
Mature privacy hedge
Planning example of a full evergreen screen at mature spacing.
Represents long-term screening potential — not a day-one guarantee.
Installed pricing
- 3-gallon installed price
- $80
- 5-gallon installed price
- $120
- 15-gallon installed price
- $250
3g $80 · 5g $120 · 15g $250 installed · from $80
Installed pricing includes selected plant material and standard planting labor. Final pricing may be adjusted during team review based on access, availability, site conditions, and selected add-ons.
Plant facts
- Mature height
- 15–25 ft
- Mature width
- 8–12 ft
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Sun needs
- Full sun to part shade
- Water needs
- Moderate; regular watering after planting
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate
- Texas / DFW fit
- DFW suitable
- Privacy hedge spacing
- 6 ft (planning default). Planning default for privacy hedge screening.
- Mature spacing
- 10 ft (planning default)
- 3-gallon starting height
- 2–3 ft
- 5-gallon starting height
- 3–4 ft
- 15-gallon starting height
- 5–7 ft
- Growth timeline
- 5–7 years to strong privacy
Best for
- Thick privacy hedge
- Neighbor screening
- Road screening
- Customers wanting a classic dense evergreen
Why we recommend it
Nellie R. Stevens is one of our go-to choices for a reliable thick evergreen screen. It holds deep green foliage through winter, tolerates typical DFW heat once established, and can be maintained as a formal hedge or softer screen.
Watch-outs
- Needs room for width at maturity
- Leaf litter and berries are possible
- Can become large if not maintained
Good fit if
You want a strong default evergreen hedge with dependable density and a classic holly look.
Maybe not ideal if
Very narrow planting beds where mature width cannot be accommodated.
Spacing notes
Planning default for privacy hedge screening.
Why we use it in Texas
Nellie R. Stevens is one of our go-to choices for a reliable thick evergreen screen. It holds deep green foliage through winter, tolerates typical DFW heat once established, and can be maintained as a formal hedge or softer screen.
Best uses
Hide neighbor view
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Pool privacy
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Road screening
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Side-yard privacy
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
HOA/community screening
Commonly considered when this use fits your property layout.
Design notes
Works well as a formal privacy hedge at tighter spacing. Can also read as a natural evergreen screen with lighter pruning. Alternating A/B patterns are possible when mixing hollies with similar habits.
- Hedge style
- Formal privacy hedge
- A/B alternating
- Often workable in mixed rows
- Recommended for
- Homeowners wanting a dependable evergreen hedge with a classic holly look.
- Not ideal for
- Very narrow planting beds where mature width cannot be accommodated.
Visual planning gallery
Reference views for planning — individual plant, hedge line, and growth stages for Texas privacy screening.
Use this plant in my quote
Start a privacy fence quote and select Nellie R. Stevens Holly (or compare others) in the map planner. Plant availability, size, and final suitability are confirmed during review.
Growth timelines are estimates and depend on plant variety, spacing, site conditions, weather, watering, and care. Your final quote will be reviewed by our team before approval.