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- Q.Holly Bush Looks Like It’s Dying - We have a well established holly bush that has been doing good since we moved in three summers ago. This ...
- Q.Trim Holly - I live in Massachusetts and have two holly bushes, 3 yrs. old and 4 ft. high, with berries in August. ...
- Q.Flies On Holly Bushes - My Holly bushes seem to attract the common house fly. They don't seem to do any damage but they congregate ...
- Q.Brown Berries On My Holly - I had five 18-foot Holly trees planted in my backyard in Annapolis, Maryland two years ago. Four of the hollies ...
- Q.Possible Pest On Holly Bush - I have two holly bushes, both planted this season. The male has a crusty growth at many of the leaf ...
- Q.Holly Trees With White Blotches - I have lost some established holly trees and others are looking affected as well. The branches have white splotches on ...
- Q.Holly Berries - I have four holly bushes planted in a row, one of which is clearly female but produces only spotty berries. ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
August 15, 2012Q.Holly Bush Looks Like It’s Dying
We have a well established holly bush that has been doing good since we moved in three summers ago. This year, however, the leaves are turning almost black and are falling off. This is on the entire bush, not just spots here or there. It almost looks like the leaves have been burnt by the sun. We have had a lot more rain this summer than usual, but temperatures and sun exposure have remained the same from previous summers. I can't figure this out. I would hate to lose this bush. It normally does so well. Please help.
Answered by
Nikki on
August 16, 2012
Certified ExpertA.As for the black leaves, this sounds like either tar spot or sooty mold. Sooty mold is normally a result of a pest infestation, and the most likely in your case. Neem oil can be used to treat both the pests as well as the fungus. 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.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
August 16, 2012Q.Trim Holly
I live in Massachusetts and have two holly bushes, 3 yrs. old and 4 ft. high, with berries in August. They need to be trimmed. Can I do it now? December is not a time I could do it. Shrubs are getting out of control.
- Answered by
Nikki on
August 17, 2011
Certified Expert - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 17, 2012Q.Flies on Holly Bushes
My Holly bushes seem to attract the common house fly. They don't seem to do any damage but they congregate in large numbers on the bushes. Have you ever heard of this? Is there anything I should be doing to prevent this?
- Answered by
Nikki on
August 20, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Flies are normally attracted to the honeydew left behind from pests, like aphids. I would treat the shrub with neem oil, as this is effective against most pests (especially aphids) but is perfectly safe for beneficial insects, animals and birds (as well as you). Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 18, 2012Q.Brown Berries on My Holly
I had five 18-foot Holly trees planted in my backyard in Annapolis, Maryland two years ago. Four of the hollies have green berries right now. One has brown berries. The holly leaves are green and appear healthy. Is this a sign of drought?
- Answered by
Nikki on
August 20, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Usually if the berries start to have problems, it is because the plant is stressed, and it is trying to preserve itself. Check to see if the plant is too dry. These shrubs require more watering during fruiting and if they do not get enough, the plant will abort its berries. I would also check for pests that could be attributing to this as well.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 5, 2012Q.Possible Pest on Holly Bush
I have two holly bushes, both planted this season. The male has a crusty growth at many of the leaf joints, but not all. I can pull them off and they are green underneath - don't appear to be an insect. Is this part of the plant or some fungus?
- Answered by
Nikki on
September 5, 2012
Certified ExpertA.It's hard to say but may be a pest, with the crustiness being hardened honeydew. At any rate, neem oil is an effective treatment, be it a pest or fungus. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Mike787 on
September 13, 2012Q.Holly trees with white blotches
I have lost some established holly trees and others are looking affected as well. The branches have white splotches on their underside. Other unaffected hollies have no white blotches. Can someone identify what this is and offer a suggestion to solve the problem? I'm in south NJ outside of Phila.
Thank you.I wish I could post a picture to make it easier to show.
- Answered by
Nikki on
September 13, 2012
Certified ExpertA.Are the blotches powdery in nature? If so, it is is powdery mildew and can be treated with neem oil. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/get-the-cure-for-powdery-mildew.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
In addition, it could be scale or mealybugs, which can also be treated with neem oil. These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/scale-bug-how-to-control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/mealybugs-white-residue-on-plants-leaves.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 14, 2012Q.Holly Berries
I have four holly bushes planted in a row, one of which is clearly female but produces only spotty berries. Is it possible to encourage greater production?
- Answered by
Nikki on
September 15, 2012
Certified ExpertA.This article may have suggestions to help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-bush-no-berries.htm
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