Holly Bushes Turning Brown

Question

My smaller holly bush started turning brown last summer. I trimmed off the ‘dead’ part last fall, but now that it is spring it is getting worse and the larger bush is now turning brown. I read the possible diseases but none seem to fit what the bushes are doing. Are they goners?

Answer 1

I would suspect that you have either Pythium or Phytophthora Root Rot. It can cause this kind of damage and can spread slowly from one plant to another. This article will help:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280100311.html