We two holly bushes planted near each other that are about 10 years old. Both of them look very sickly for the first time. Many of the leaves did not come back after the winter and many of the existing leaves have brown areas covering 10%-70% of the leaf surface. How can I identify the disease or pest that is causing this problem? All of the other plants nearby look great. The problem seems to be confined to the two holly bushes.
Your sickly holly bushes probably did not succumb to disease or pests but rather to old man winter. It sounds like your hollies got winter burn - more information on winter burn can be found here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/winter-burn-in-evergreens.htm
You will want to treat the cold injury in your bushes via judicious pruning (of the dead and damaged parts) and making sure it stays hydrated. More information on cold injury and pruning can be found at the links below:
Winter Damage Of Shrubs: Types Of Cold Injury In Shrubs
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/winter-damage-of-shrubs.htm
Cold Weather Damage To Trees – Pruning Winter Damaged Trees And Shrubs
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/winter-damaged-trees-shrubs.htm
Trimming Holly Bushes
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
Holly bushes are turning yellow from bottom foliage and spreading up, losing leaves and branches dying. Put iron on them and sprayed with general pest/disease treatment. Not sure of cause but has clay in soil and not best drainage but plants have been here two years.
As you have already determined, yellowing leaves on holly bushes can be caused by an iron deficiency. Poor drainage, overwatering and a soil with too high of a pH are the most common causes of iron deficiency.
Clay soil is not well draining so you may want to consider amending the soil to fix the drainage. For tips on how to improve clay soil, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/how-to-easily-improve-your-clay-soil.htm
If your iron treatment does not work, I suggest that you get a soil test done via your local extension office to see if the pH of your soil needs to be adjusted. To find the closest extension office near you, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search/
For more information on yellowing holly leaves, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-yellow-leaves.htm
My one holly is quickly losing its leaves this spring, similar problem last year. The leaves are turning brown and falling off. The plant is over 40 years old, and I didn't have a problem with it until last spring. Never had it pruned; could that help?
It does sound like scorch.
I have listed a couple links with great information about how to protect your plant for next year.
Also a link about proper pruning for holly.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/leaf-scorching-in-holly.htm
I transplanted a holly tree, it was about 4-1/2 ft. high and pretty wide. I dug 3' all the way around and took some soil with it. I dug the other hole first so as not to expose it for more than 20 mins. I did this in the summer, which I shouldn't have. I moved it about 20' away from the original spot, near another one about 5' away and that one for some reason took off fantastically, even grew beautiful berries and is very shiny and green. The other one is below it, very low compared to the good one. I did water the hole when I did this with a lot of water. It didn't start turning yellow until about 1 yr. later....kind of bizarre. I usually have a great turn out whenever I transplant bushes or trees.
It does sound as if your holly is suffering from an iron deficiency.
Make sure the soil is well draining and your plant is receiving adequate water.
Here is a link.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-yellow-leaves.htm
In the soil under the holly bush, there were little white balls. Are they holly seeds?
Holly seeds do not look like little white balls. They are brown in color.
Without a photo, it is hard to say what the little white balls are. Typically when people ask about little white balls in soil it is usually perlite which is a soil amendment added to improve drainage and aeration.
My holly bush is losing its leaves,leaving the stems bare except for the tips. They still have the leaves.
Are there spots on the leaves? If so, your bush could have Holly Leaf Spot Or Holly Tar Spot - this would cause leaves to drop. More information can be found here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-problems-holly-leaf-spot-or-holly-tar-spot.htm
Are there any signs of insects? Some insects, such as scale, will cause leaf defoliation. For more information on scale, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
Lastly, I would review the following article which provides more information on holly bush pests and diseases to see if anything is a match for what is happening to your bush:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
I have three holly bushes in different areas of my garden and they have all caught black spot. The problem is the branches have all started to go black as well. What can I do to stop it?
In hollies this is typically tar spot. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-problems-holly-leaf-spot-or-holly-tar-spot.htm