Replacing a Missing Holly to Restore a Mature Planting in Hockessin, DE

This project was about continuity rather than change.

The property already had a row of established hollies forming structure and screening along the edge of the landscape. Over time, one of those trees had been lost—whether to age, stress, or site conditions—and the gap was starting to show.

Rather than redesign the area, the goal was to replace what was missing and allow the planting to function as it was originally intended.

To restore the row, we installed a large Nellie Stevens holly selected to match the size, form, and character of the surrounding trees as closely as possible.

At roughly ten feet tall, the new holly immediately brought the planting back into balance, closing the visual gap without calling attention to itself. The intent was for it to blend in over time—not stand apart.

With large evergreens, success is decided at planting.

We excavated the hole carefully, prepared and amended the soil with BioTone, and set the tree with attention to depth, orientation, and alignment with the existing row. Once positioned, the tree was backfilled, mulched, and watered in thoroughly to support root establishment and reduce transplant stress.

These details matter most in the first season, especially when replacing a tree within an established planting.

Now, the row works the way it should.

As the new holly settles in, it will fill out and visually disappear into the planting, restoring the rhythm and screening the original design intended. Sometimes the right move isn’t adding something new—it’s carefully repairing what was already there.

Hockessin, Delaware