Just over 60 days now. These pics are from a couple days ago. Mowing about every 4 days. I'm applying urea at .5 lb N / 1000 sq ft weekly. I also put alfalfa on it last night. I had it in my head that 10 lbs / 1000 sq ft was the prescribed dosage, but then read an alfalfa post by dchall saying that 20, 30, even 40 lbs per 1000 sq ft is good. So I'll grab a couple more bags this week and throw them down. I'm pretty happy with it at this point. There will be work to be done in the spring, but it's 100% better than what I had when I started.

Nevertheless it looks like Ilex opaca in your pictures. As for the height I. opaca has been recorded being 100' tall in the past, so 20' is not an indication of it being another kind.

I think the holly is an excellent choice! Evergreen, dense, very prunable and a not very touchy-feely plant so good for keeping unwanted visitors out of the yard. But if you go with Blue Princess, get a couple of Blue Princes in the mix for the girls to make some berries.

Ah that looks great, Dig Doug! Are you suggesting we just just copy what’s on other side of the steps? What kind of ground cover is that?