How do you protect how many plants from drying up and dropping leaves? We have three holly plants and we fertilized with miracle grow and now one holly plant has dried up and leaves are dropped off. Stems have turned brown as if they had no water. We water quite regularly almost all of our plants on a regular basis. The two other plants seem to be doing well. I'm not sure if there is some type of fungus or whether the fertilizer caused the problem.
Holly can suffer from environmental issues and fungus.
Remove the dead material and dispose of.
Use a broad spectrum fungicide and spray weekly till the point of run of.
Do this until the plant improves.
Read the links below to refresh you on the care and more information on diseases.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/fertilizing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-problems-holly-leaf-spot-or-holly-tar-spot.htm
I have two patio standard holly trees. One is ordinary holly the other variegated. How and when do I prune them to maintain their shape? I am aiming for a round shape.
This article will help you with the basics:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
Pruning is basically sculpting the plant. If you are aiming for a round shape, then start shaping them that way. If you need to remove more than a few inches to do this, you may want to take a little off this year and then do more next year, shaping the plants gradually.
I have 10 hollies, 3 of them appear to not be doing well, possibly from the last two cold winters we had with extended below zero temperatures for a long time. The other 7 look healthy. I was going to replace all of them but am having second thoughts. Over the weekend I cut them all back to basically a stump sticking out of the ground with some short branches left on them. I have two questions, will they grow back after cutting back? If so, how long will it take to see new growth? Thank you!
Holly pruning varies with the variety of Holly you are growing.
You will need to wait and see. Some plants will do fine with a severe pruning, others may not.
Here is a link with more information.
We have always had holly bushes which pretty much thrived. The two in the north facing area of the house are still doing well. There are three in the south facing (not that much sun due to many trees) have or are in the process of dying. We have replaced all three in the last couple of years. Local nurseryman claims not enough water. This has been the wettest summer we've experienced in 20 years in this house, and the ground is wet. The one change we've made is to use stone landscaping around the plants facing the southeast. Could this be the problem? We don't see any sign of pests and have not changed anything else.
Hollies are very susceptible to honey fungus, which causes rapid death. The fungus appears in autumn as clusters of brown stools. The landscaping is unlikely to be the problem.
They have year round shiny green, spiny leaves and white flowers before the having bright red berries. We have holly bushes that are on the north side of our home that line both sides of front walkway. Two look dead in center but have beautiful green leaves and currently red berries toward the edges. They are need to be pruned badly but we don't know how or when or who could do it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Any dead or diseased branches can be pruned out any time.
Regular pruning should be done generally during dormancy.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
Had drought conditions in Oregon. My holly is losing leaves but has areas of green and currently has red berries. Is this healthy and ok...lots of leaf loss? Will it recover?
In drought conditions Holly should be watered about 2 inches a week.
Loss of leaves can indicate the plant is trying to protect it's roots. Water and add 2 to 3 inches of hardwood mulch to help with moisture retention.
Check the plants for signs of insects or disease. Treat with Neem Oil if you see anything.
Here are some links to refresh you on the care requirements.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
I have two holly trees that are 10 years old, both are not dense in growth. Good green color and berries but not dense growth. How can I improve growth density?
Though your Holly looks lovely, I do see that it appears thinned out.
I would start with basics. Growing conditions, proper full sunlight and soil condition.
A simple soil test takes the guesswork out of what it may need.
A regular fertilizer schedule will help your plant.
Then pruning! Read the links below to refresh you on the care requirements and to help you get started.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/common-types-of-holly.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/fertilizing-holly-bushes.htm