Is It Acceptable To Plant Two Different Varieties Of Holly Bushes Together?

Question

I have access to Mary Nell hollies and Eagleston hollies and I want to plant them in a row to make a privacy screen. My problem is I need 17 plants and there are not 17 of one variety, so I was thinking of mixing them together. Like every other one or in clumps of 2, 3 or other. They are very different hollies so I’m concerned from an aesthetic point of view as well as creating the desired privacy screen. What do you recommend? The photo attached is a birds eye view of the property. The green marker indicates where the hollies will be planted. Thank you!

Answer 1

We didn't get a photo, but some other fast growing hollies are Nellie Stevens holly or Needlepoint holly. Mary Nell is a good tough variety and Eagleston is gaining in popularity. Those are both female so you need a male pollinator if you want berries. Their height might vary a little, but I think they will do all right side by side for a privacy screen.

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-mary-nell/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/common-types-of-holly.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ilex-cornuta-needlepoint/common-name/needlepoint-holly/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/when-does-holly-bloom-fruit.htm