Little Goblin® Guy Winterberry Holly

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Give ‘Little Goblin Guy’ at least six hours of direct sun daily; full sun ensures the densest, most vigorous growth and the most abundant flowers for spring pollination. Partial shade is acceptable, especially in the hottest afternoon hours, but too much shade will result in a leggy, less floriferous shrub.
• Soil: This tough holly prefers acidic, moist, organic-rich soil, unlike many hollies that demand sharp drainage, as it naturally handles wet sites well. If you have heavy clay, mixing in compost will keep him happy; for sandy soil, the compost helps it retain essential moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first season, keep the root zone consistently moist by watering deeply twice a week until the plant is clearly established. Once mature, this variety has good drought tolerance but will perform best with supplemental water during prolonged dry spells. Inconsistent moisture puts stress on the plant, potentially decreasing pollen production, which is his main job for the female berry producer.

Pruning Tips

Winterberry Holly blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is late winter or very early spring, right before new growth begins. You can shape the shrub and reduce its height then, thinking of it like a refreshing haircut to encourage fresh, sturdy stems. Because ‘Little Goblin Guy’ is the male pollinator, pruning ensures a consistent supply of new branches and healthy spring flowers to pollinate the nearby female ‘Little Goblin Red’ (or similar) plants.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, granular fertilizer formulated for acid-loving shrubs in early spring, just as the buds begin to swell. Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer after mid-summer, as this encourages a flush of tender, new growth. This soft growth will not harden off properly and is highly susceptible to damage from an early fall frost.Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Give ‘Little Goblin Guy’ at least six hours of direct sun daily; full sun ensures the densest, most vigorous growth and the most abundant flowers for spring pollination. Partial shade is acceptable, especially in the hottest afternoon hours, but too much shade will result in a leggy, less floriferous shrub.
• Soil: This tough holly prefers acidic, moist, organic-rich soil, unlike many hollies that demand sharp drainage, as it naturally handles wet sites well. If you have heavy clay, mixing in compost will keep him happy; for sandy soil, the compost helps it retain essential moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first season, keep the root zone consistently moist by watering deeply twice a week until the plant is clearly established. Once mature, this variety has good drought tolerance but will perform best with supplemental water during prolonged dry spells. Inconsistent moisture puts stress on the plant, potentially decreasing pollen production, which is his main job for the female berry producer.

Pruning Tips

Winterberry Holly blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is late winter or very early spring, right before new growth begins. You can shape the shrub and reduce its height then, thinking of it like a refreshing haircut to encourage fresh, sturdy stems. Because ‘Little Goblin Guy’ is the male pollinator, pruning ensures a consistent supply of new branches and healthy spring flowers to pollinate the nearby female ‘Little Goblin Red’ (or similar) plants.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow-release, granular fertilizer formulated for acid-loving shrubs in early spring, just as the buds begin to swell. Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer after mid-summer, as this encourages a flush of tender, new growth. This soft growth will not harden off properly and is highly susceptible to damage from an early fall frost.