every plant has an annual growth rate.. that usually can be found thru google ...

and no plant really stops growing at some magical height.. most height ESTIMATES are at 10 years ...

its all about how fast it gets to a height.. and how fast it goes past ...

so if a plant grows a foot a year.. in 3 to 5 years.. you would need to trim it ...

if it grow 6 inches a year.. you would need to trim it in 6 to 10 years ...

so you will have to search out a slower growing.. slower annual growth rate alternative ... good luck with that.. lol.. we all have are dream plants ... lol..

my HMH after about 8 years.. in MI sand.. is only about 4 feet tall.. so i am a bit confused why yours is so much bigger.. but maybe its a MI thing ... or my abuse ... [though it was under a carp acer that tried to suck the life out of it for its first 4 years or so ... really perked up.. when i killed the tree ...]

ken

Not sure how it would do in your zone, but you might look into Ilex aquifolium 'Gold Coast'. It might need a bit of shade in your zone? You don't describe the exposure.

I have both Gold Coast and Honey Maid. Honestly my Honey Maid looks to be a slower grower, but if it does every 'take off' no doubt some simple shearing would keep it in bounds.

Gold Coast is a male, so you won't get berries, but it is a good pollenator for other female hollies that bloom at the same time.

Also, for 7B, you might check into variegated Pittosporum.

Gold Coast looks wonderful, perfect height, thanks so much!