I have 5 Nellie R.'s & at least 2 are dying. I pruned off the dead branches, leaving some living parts. Some of the living leaves are yellow. The 2 which are dying are side by side. These are about 6 yr. old & seemed to be healthy. They died over winter. Any ideas what could be causing this?

If you had a hard time finding them, then I would keep them. Hollies respond well to pruning, so they should end up nicely shaped, with a little attention on your part. I would wait until winter to trim anything off - with the obvious exception of dead, crossing or truly wayward branches - the more leaves, the more energy the tree(s) have for growing a good root system, which is what they should be doing this year. Next winter/early spring, you can shorten the 2 outside "leaders" back by about a quarter, so they are a good height to give the shape you want, and trim off or shorten the most awkward of the shoots. Cut to an outward facing bud/leaf, or to the trunk or to a smaller/larger diameter branch - DO NOT leave a stub. You don't HAVE to do all the pruning in one session, so look carefully before cutting, visualize what the cut will look like, and if in doubt, wait for another day. In any case, don't take off more than a quarter of the canopy in any one year. In future years, you can refine the shape, until you have your nice cone shape. I agree, it would be really nice to have the shape now, but if you don't think you can find other N. R. Stevens hollies, then go for it. If you haven't mulched, it will help the tree(s); use any good mulch, with NO landscape cloth or plastic under it, as widely as possible, no deeper than 4", and no mulch in the couple of inches next to the trunk. For the next 2 years, pay careful attention to watering - water only when a finger - or pointed stick to the equivalent depth - pushed down to the second knuckle feels dry - if wet, wait and test again. You should apply the water slowly and deeply, about as much as an inch of rain per week would give.

What roses are they? I ask because I have seen this combo looking rather good but it was very large shrub roses (Alba semi-plena) planted with equally large English holly( Ilex aquilfolium, possibly Silver Queen) and very deep green Japanese holly, Ilex crenata.....as part of a huge boundary hedge.....it was an extraordinary sight at all times in the year but had nothing of the formality of some rose/evergreen combinations. Planting wise, they enjoy similar conditions so I see no problems regarding maintenance requirements (apart from the prickly ones). As a rule though, unless your roses are the same colour, adding variagation to the mix can be a bit eye-achy.....so a plain holly might be more serene and harmonious in a mixed rose bed.....but obvs, ymmv.

Mike, HGi, THANKS SO MUCH FOR GETTING BACK!!!!! sorry so long in delay, nellie reportedly is fast growing and great for windbreaks. Further reading claims she needs protection winter winds (there goes windbreak theory). I've had POOR luck with conifers, most died,blue spruces/norway spruces are out, too many diseases where I live. Arbs (occidentalis) reportedly don't live too long in this climate (like it a bit cooler).. I never tried other kinds of arbs. I want something not too susceptible to diseases, esp. as various fungi are killing half my garden here. Abies concolor i have, that's it for windbreak at present. I'd take anything else, most E.G's need wind protection... Screening, my goodness, too much to afford, space, a lot but gotta watch money now... Full and part sun, both types of soil... main EGS for screening listed for this part of PA (Pittsburgh area) from Penn state are I believe Pines (but then I read they shouldn't be grown this area- pine blister- it's killed so much).. and norway spruce (again, susceptible to numerous diseases, after a loss of 4 I'm too afraid.. Concolor abies (I'm getting from forest farm)... and some say Nellie R stevens, but messsages conflicting. I always thought arbs needed protection from winds? Just some?? ANY feedback helpful, for now may just have to be some trees I'm getting (decidous), the winds are rough here due to my house, others houses, windtunnels.... few landscape around here so there's not much shade, privacy, anything... The man beside me is on raised area (my yard drops about 5 feet under his), the lady behind has steep yard with no trees, winds sweep down, erosion and rain from all for sides, messy complicated situation... house beside just has 2 screaming babies and 2 dogs that are vocal.. Amy