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- Q.Black Mite/Flies On My Standard Holly - I have a standard holly, which I kept in a large terra cotta tub for 15 years in my back ...
- Q.Identifying Holly Bushes - I have recently purchased a house with at least ten holly bushes in the landscape. To me they look like ...
- Q.Holly Bush Disease - We have two holly bushes next to one another, approximately 14 years old. One bush has turned black on both ...
- Q.Holly Removal - How do you get rid of holly bushes/trees?
- Q.Project Holly Bush - What maximum height does the Holly Bush grow? What are its uses? Can someone give me all relevant information on ...
- Q.Holly Turned To Tree - I have a 15 foot (high) by 12 foot (wide) Holly (not sure what type), which is shaped like a ...
- Q.Hollies Are Turning Black - Our hollies' leaves are turning black and whole branches have died off. The last one has now began this process. ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
July 27, 2011Q.Black Mite/Flies on My Standard Holly
I have a standard holly, which I kept in a large terra cotta tub for 15 years in my back garden without any problems at all, until it started to look a bit forlorn. I assumed it was getting pot-bound and removed it to my front garden and planted in the ground. I gave it lots of compost and kept feeding it throughout the early days of the re-siting. It now seems to have got some kind of very small black mite/fly all over it, and the branches seem to be dying off. I have sprayed with a proprietry insect killer for shrubs and roses, but it doesn't seem to be recovering. I would hate to lose this shrub, as we have cherished it for so long. It had a very nice big shape to the bush, and we even nicknamed it Tina Turner (big bushy head of hair). Any sugggstions/ideas as to what I can do please?
Answered by
Nikki on
July 28, 2011
Certified ExpertA.I would recommend trying neem oil. It is effective against both harmful insects and mites and fungus. The product you used may not have been effective against mites. Neem oil will work on all three things that may be causing the continued decline of the shrub.
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- Asked by
gb on
July 27, 2011Q.Identifying Holly Bushes
I have recently purchased a house with at least ten holly bushes in the landscape. To me they look like they need to be trimmed, but I just read your advice on trimming and see I need to know what type of holly it is. I have no idea what kind they are. Is there a way to identify them without having a degree in horticulture?
- Answered by
Susan75023 on
July 28, 2011A.There are hundreds of holly types - I am sending a link in the event yours looks like any of these. If not, I would cut a piece of it and take to a good local nursery and ask. I don't think you can hurt them, however, by trimming conservatively. You can control the shape and size and I find them to be tough to damage. I do not recommend just hacking them with a hedge-trimmer. Just use a good hand shears and cut off branches that are "out of line."
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
robw on
July 28, 2011Q.Holly Bush Disease
We have two holly bushes next to one another, approximately 14 years old. One bush has turned black on both the leaves and the branches. The other has not exhibited this form. Thank you.
- Answered by
Cathy on
July 30, 2011A.This sounds like a possible fungal problem. This article may be of help to you:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 29, 2011Q.Holly Removal
How do you get rid of holly bushes/trees?
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 30, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Simply dig the shrubs up, making sure to include as much of the rootball and surrounding roots as possible.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 30, 2011Q.Project Holly Bush
What maximum height does the Holly Bush grow? What are its uses? Can someone give me all relevant information on Holly Bush.
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 30, 2011
Certified ExpertA.These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-male-and-female-holly-bush.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 1, 2011Q.Holly Turned to Tree
I have a 15 foot (high) by 12 foot (wide) Holly (not sure what type), which is shaped like a Christmas tree and only has holly leaves on the outside 6-7 inches (diameter about 10-11 inches). Also, overgrown is a Wisteria, which is 12 ft by 20 ft. I live in northeast PA. and am looking to possibly trim back hard. On, Holly I'd like to take about 4-5 feet off the bottom and leave the Christmas tree like crown. For Wisteria, maybe trim back to the core of about 4 feet in diameter. What do you suggest, or should I take them both out?
- Answered by
Susan75023 on
August 3, 2011A.I trimmed a big holly bush to become a standard - just use a sharp sheers and cut close to the main trunk. I don't know much about wisteria - don't grow them because I have a small yard. Here is a video link that will show you what to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvmgNSWoPgYWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 1, 2011Q.Hollies Are Turning Black
Our hollies' leaves are turning black and whole branches have died off. The last one has now began this process. There is not a spot on the holly that is not affected.
- Answered by
Nikki on
August 2, 2011
Certified ExpertA.It sounds like it is either tar spot or sooty mold. Sooty mold is normally a result of a pest infestation. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-problems-holly-leaf-spot-or-holly-tar-spot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htmWas this answer useful?00
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