Eagleston Holly vs. Nellie R. Stevens: Which Is Better for Houston Privacy?
Trying to choose between Eagleston Holly and Nellie R. Stevens for your Houston landscape? Here's the simple breakdown of which one will work best for your yard, soil, and privacy goals—based on decades of installs right here in Houston.
Garden Guy knows Houston Backyard Privacy! Here is our installation of a row of Eagleston Hollies for our client.
Looking for an Evergreen Privacy Screen in Houston?
If you want year-round privacy, low maintenance, and a natural green wall, two Houston favorites rise to the top:
✔️ Eagleston Holly
✔️ Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Both thrive in Houston’s climate, but each one shines in different situations.
Growth Rate & Mature Size
Height
Eagleston Holly 15–25 ft
Nellie R. Stevens 25–30 ft
Width
Eagleston Holly 10–15 ft
Nellie R. Stevens 15–20 ft
Growth Speed
Eagleston Holly 🌿 Moderate (1–2 ft/year)
Nellie R. Stevens 🌿🌿 Fast (up to 3 ft/year)
Shape
Eagleston Holly Naturally oval + tidy
Nellie R. Stevens Upright pyramid; may need shaping
Quick takeaway:
👉 Want faster height? Choose Nellie R. Stevens.
👉 Want a tidier, cleaner look with less pruning? Choose Eagleston Holly.
Soil, Sun & Water Needs
Both hollies do well in:
Full sun → partial shade
Houston humidity
Standard yard irrigation
But here’s the key difference:
Eagleston Holly: Handles Houston clay soil better
Nellie R. Stevens: Prefers well-drained soil
💧 Pro Tip: Add shredded hardwood mulch, not dyed mulch — it helps balance soil moisture and keeps roots cool in summer.
Maintenance Level
Eagleston Holly:
Low shaping needs
Great for formal or structured landscapes
Nellie R. Stevens:
Benefits from yearly pruning
Best when you want fast coverage first, tidy shape later
🛠 If you want “plant it and let it grow,” choose Eagleston.
Appearance & Seasonal Interest
Both offer rich green foliage and winter berries, but:
Nellie R. Stevens: heavier berry production (great for birds)
Eagleston: softer texture and lighter foliage tone
On the left is the Eagleston and on the right is the Nellie
Best Use Cases in Houston Landscapes
Yard Goal Best Tree Choice
Narrow side-yard privacy ⭐ Eagleston Holly
Fast screening in new build ⭐ Nellie R. Stevens
Near fences + utilities ⭐ Eagleston Holly
Bird-friendly landscape ⭐ Nellie R. Stevens
Garden Guy’s Recommendation (Houston-Specific)
“For most Houston and Sugar Land homeowners, we recommend planting Eagleston Holly if you want a clean, evergreen privacy hedge that won’t require constant trimming. It performs beautifully in our local clay soils and heat.”
Ready to Install a Beautiful Evergreen Privacy Screen?
We help homeowners in Houston, Sugar Land, and Missouri City design and install long-lasting privacy solutions using the right plants for our climate and soil.
📌 Book a Privacy Tree Consult
👉 https://bit.ly/bookaskgguy
Call or text 281-208-4400
Or if this free advice helped—
☕ Buy Todd a coffee: https://bit.ly/coffeegguy
If you're still deciding which tree fits your yard, you may also like our guide:
➡ Best Privacy Trees for Houston
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