New Holly bushes

I've just planted two holly bushes, male and female variegated, they are about 3' tall how fast/slow are they growing wise please, also do I top them if so when

 

Yes they do grow fairly quickly and have a lot of surface roots,mines about 20ft tall now I chopped 10ft off it last year Ireckon they grow about 12" to 18" a year,top them when they are the height you want them to be.

 

Oh that's good, as I want them for the birds, perching etc, and hopefully nesting later Thank you

 

Hmmm ... I don't think of Hollies as being very quick growing, but thinking about it maybe that has more to do with the fact that they don't "thicken up" very quickly. Or is that not your experience?

 

Holly grows slowly from a young plant. I have a few and the two that were in situ I cut down to the same height as the new ones I planted. The old bushes have thrown on loads of new growth, but the new ones are sadly struggling to keep up.

 

I planted 3 holly last spring 1 plain ? and 2 variegated, and throughout the summer they may have grown 2/3 inches , although they all look very healthy,
The gardeners who came round left me 6 more in pots and they are 3 times bigger than mine, just plain holly and i have parked them by the fence till spring :skp:

 

Oh dear, I think maybe I have boobed then, methinks the birds will have to wait awhile for a new home, seems like the credit crunch is affecting them too.

 

Depends on the variety you have W T so don't give up Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King'is rated to be a fast grower,as Claire says some are slow starters but once they get established move quite quickly.

 

I agree with Walnut, don`t lose heart, they are still beautiful little things, and different plants do different things. No mistake was made and Rome wasn`t built in a day. And besides, cuttings from young plants do better than those off old ones, so just think of the scope for practice and learning. Someone on here has the sig line, life as if you will die tomorrow and garden as though you will live forever (paraphrased probably), it`s a good solid principle.