Holly shrubs and trees prefer a location with full sun to partial shade and soil that drains well and contains slight acidity, according to the National Gardening Association. Holly trees are either evergreen or deciduous, and they grow from 6 to 40 feet tall and spread wide.
Holly bushes and trees require a distance of 5 to 25 feet between them, depending on the variety. Hollies do not thrive if they are transplanted, so it's important to choose one that is appropriate to the lot size and climate hardiness zone. The English holly, for example, does well in Zone 6, where temperatures do not fall below minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.