Hi, when you say 'lanky' do you mean there is only 1 shoot growing very tall? or does it already have side shoots, in which case I would leave it alone, it will bush out on it's own, if just 1 shoot, I would cut it back, to encourage side shoots, otherwise it's pruning group 1, late winter or early spring, Derek.

Hi, thanks for reply. We were given some holly bushes that a friend didn't want any more, the bushes had been planted about 2 feet apart against a back wall and didn't get a lot of light. There are a metre to a metre and a half tall, they do have a few side shoots but are very widely spaced and have leaves at the end of about a 2 foot branches. As we have just replanted them(hoping they have enough roots to survive) I wondered if pruning (light or hard) them would help or hinder them. We have replanted them about 3 and half feet apart where they will get plenty of light. Jane

Hi, it sounds as though you have nothing to lose by trying to get them to bush out, I would probably cut back the leading shoot by about 12", and the side shoots by about a half, this should encourage them to sprout new shoots, and also put less strain on the roots, keep them well watered until they get established, Derek.

Thanks, I shall try that. Watering won't be a problem at the moment with the amount of rain where having. Jane