What a lovely ritual :o) I never tried planting this late in the year.

We have at least six holly plants here, compliments of the birds. I first discovered one by the driveway, in 2019, and found two more after that in the backyard.
https://moonhare.dreamwidth.org/86838.html I’ve discovered the others since, including a small one just two weeks ago when checking the trail cam. I’ve yet to see flowers on the first ones.

I’ve always referred to squirrels’ nests as dreys. Did you borrow your term from Tolkien or is it a local word?