Holly grows naturally on nearly every continent in the world. Most varieties are evergreen and give your garden interest year-round, even when everything else has died. You must plant a male and female holly bush in order to produce the little red berries the plant is known for. Many varieties of holly are only hardy to zone 5 or 6, although some---like blue holly---are able to survive in colder climates.
Select a holly variety that will thrive in your climate and be hardy enough to withstand your winters.
Choose a location for your holly bushes. Holly likes full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Add compost or manure to heavy clay soils to improve drainage.
Plant holly in the spring or fall. Bushes planted in the spring will have more time for set their roots before winter. For each bush, dig a hole about 1 to 2 feet deep and 2 to 3 feet wide---large enough to accommodate the plant's root-ball.
Place the root-ball in the hole. Fill the hole halfway with soil, then water thoroughly. Allow the water to soak into the soil before you finish filling the hole. Tamp the soil around each plant.
Mulch around the base of the holly bushes. This keeps the ground moist and prevents weeds from growing.