When do you trim Princess Holly? My shrub is 4. 5 feet high but is too leggy and has bare spaces. How much is the proper length to cut away from a straight branch? The shrub is planted in afternoon sun and partial shade against the house foundation and brick porch.
They can be pruned anytime, but should be pruned in spring if you would like a better berry display. Try not to take more than 1/3 of a branch off.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
What is the best time to prune a blue prince and princess holly bush?
Holly bushes are usually pruned in winter. This article should help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
I live in Gold Bar, WA (Zone 7b). I recently planted two Blue Princess holly and one Blue Prince. They are planted together with the Prince in the center. The two Blue Princess shrubs are doing great, but the leaves on the Prince are turning brown, looks like it is dying. Wondering what the cause could be and what, if anything, I can do about it.
The following article may help pinpoint the cause:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
My Holly berry bushes have black spots on the undersides of the leaves. This will be the third summer for them. I have never pruned them. What do I do?
These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-problems-holly-leaf-spot-or-holly-tar-spot.htm
I have a big, old-fashioned Center Hall colonial. I would like to put evergreen shrubs right in front of the porch and then in front of them Nikko blue hydrangea. The house faces north. I'm in Zone 6. I like the Blue Princess holly, but I only want something maybe 3 to 4 feet high. Can I cut this back each year to keep at that level, or can you recommend a better bush?
Yes, these articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/prune-hydrangea-bushes-hydrangea-pruning-instructions.htm
Our 20 year old, well established male holly bush is losing leaves on one side, leaving bare branches. Leaves dry up and fall off from individual branches, then do not regrow. Please advise.
Is the shrub near your home or other structure? If so, this could be a result of winter burn, or scorch. The exposed side would be affected while the other side remained somewhat sheltered. The plant will eventually recover on its own. You can give it a boost of fertilizer to help with the regrowth.
One of my customers recently had two 8' holly trees planted by professional tree people. Some of the leaves (more lower than higher) have developed gray splotches, which look like mildew or mold or something fungal. We live in southern NH and have had very unusal weather this summer. . . lots of rain, cool nights, now very hot and dry. She is 91 and is having a fit about the trees since it has taken her 20 yrs to finally do something to remove the old arborvitaes and replace them. As her regular gardener for many years, I am seeking your opinion because I surely don't want to make a mistake! Any guidance would be appreciated.
This sounds like powdery mildew. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/powdery-mildew-homemade-and-organic-remedies.htm
Neem oil is also effective for this problem. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm