No need to add anything. Just plant in the unamended native soil and keep well watered until established. Since you've already amended the soil it's a bit late to change that but otherwise just water it. Hollies are very tough. I've had a 6 foot Ilex aquifolium flattened by a falling wall, left lying out in the open for a few weeks and then replanted. No problems.

Do not feed them again--they're already stressed.

That's what I needed to hear. I know other bushes benefit from being cut back when transplanted without a full root ball. But that doesn't seem to be the case with hollies, correct?

Thanks for the feedback!

" I know other bushes benefit from being cut back when transplanted without a full root ball. But that doesn't seem to be the case with hollies, correct? "

The consensus with current horticultural methodology is that NO trees or shrubs actually benefit from being cut back or crown reduction at planting or transplanting. This is a long standing gardening myth that continues to be perpetuated in error. Studies have shown that the foliage or top growth needs to work in tandem with the root system to encourage new growth, both above and below ground.

FWIW, amending individual planting holes and fertilizing newly planted or transplanted woodies have also been determined as detrimental practices to their long term establishment.

Isn't that something? From what you've said, that means no compost mixed in with our clay soil either. I will now share those newly-learned truths with others who I speak to about such subjects.

Thanks for the enlightenment!

rig up some shade for the rest of summer.. water properly.. and pray ... no need for anything else..

and next time.. do not amend soil ... never fert a new transplant.. put no faith in a marketing nonsense...

just insert in mother earth.. native soil .. and water properly ..

i lost all my links with the new machine.. anyone got the link to the transplant link .. brandons site??

ken

Here you go, Ken:

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Thanks, Ken. Regarding rigging up shade for the summer, do you have any more detail on that suggestion in terms of what percentage of shade would be optimal? I've been searching online for ideas and am getting some ideas. But any suggestions of links / info would be appreciated.

@indianagardengirl , @ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5, thanks for that link. It's quite a resource with a lot of really useful information that I had never heard. I'm new to this forum, but I guess all of you know the source as credible.

My sister was my garden guru, but she passed away last year, so now I have to fill that role. That link helps a lot. I appreciate all of your help!

Thanks so much @ViburnumValley central KY Bluegrass z6 for this information! I've posted pics below. I think I might have more than one variety, as some are a slightly different shade of green. For reference, that first bush is about 65" across. The others are the same or slightly smaller.

I know the challenges come with the hot weather, but so far, 19 days later, they're mostly looking pretty good. We have been fortunate as the weather has been mostly on the cooler side. They've been getting watered daily. We just cut larger beds, and those will be mulched in the next day or two.

There are some signs of stress, and I'll go pruning this evening to remove the parts that, as you said, have not been chosen to be supported. One bush, the last one below, is especially challenged.

I work from home, so I can water them at will, whether it's one or more times per day. I'm committed to helping these bushes survive :-)

I do have some questions:

1. In the warmer weather I'm assuming it would be OK to water more than once per day to make sure there's no chance of that root area drying out? It's easier for me to do it manually since they're located in various places around our property.

2. When watering in the shade, is it helpful to water the leaves too? It seems to make sense as it would help them with moisture, but I don't know whether they are prone to fungus.

3. And when watering in the sun, is it at all helpful to spray the inside of the bush/leaves, to help with moisture. (Shower setting from inside the bush, not allowing it to get on the leaves in the sun.)

4. If covering the plants could be beneficial, do you have any recommendations on a specific bush cover/bag? The ones I've found seem to mostly say they're for winter protection.

The hollies you planted are beautiful. I've got one gorgeous one that I planted outside my office window a few years ago. It's about 8 feet tall and is glowingly healthy! Here's a pic below.

Thanks again for the comments!

It's about time to hear back from Bob on Long Island, for an update or post-occupancy evaluation of his Holly transplants. How is it going?