I want to plant two large sized holly trees in two planters that will be hidden. I am searching for planters online that are not expensive (no one will see the planters!) but are really large to hold a big tree. What size?
I used to be able to go by constructions sites and pick up lumber they were getting rid of, then build some pretty large planters. I had some cost in what I bought to stain the lumber with for the large planters and the screws and nails but that was not that much really. Check the overall growth expected for your Holly trees and what the base typically ends up being. Then the planter size should be two feet bigger all around.
I have six hollies that I had to transplant last spring due to them getting so big in the area I had them in. I moved them to an area with soil that contained a lot of rocks. I did use Miracle Grow for trees and shrubs and cow manure to transplant with. The shrubs have not grown any but are starting to turn in color to a yellow white, and one has developed black-speckled spots on it. Help. . . what do I need to do to save these shrubs?
I would try pruning them back some. When moving plants, you prune the roots. The plant can't support the plant above the ground. I suspect that the roots are just not able to support the large plants above, so the plants should be pruned.
We have several large holly bushes surrounding our patio. We feed birds in this area (4 feeders of different kinds). The birds (sparrows, mockingbirds, titmice, etc. ) use the hollies for cover and nesting. Several of the plants (the ones closest to the feeders) have many leaves that are turning yellow - to the point where it is heavily noticeable). Could the bird feces and urine be causing this? If that's not it, what could it be? The drainage is good in the area, and the plants have been fine for over six years.
It is possible that the nitrogen from the bird droppings is causing this. I would recommend having the soil tested at your local extension service. They will be able to confirm the nitrogen levels. This article will help too:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/understanding-nitrogen-requirements-for-plants.htm
I have a question about one of our holly trees. It looks like it is dying. The leaves are a lighter shade of green, have spots, are curled and dropping off, and the berries are reddish brown. The leaves seemed to have stopped dropping off. The other holly trees are ok. We live in West Central Illinois by the Mississippi River. I have looked on the Internet for what's wrong and how to treat the tree with little luck.
There are several reasons this might occur. These articles will help you better pinpoint what it might be:
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/holly-yellow-leaves.htm
Can you prune holly back to a 3' trunk with no branches? Will it leaf out again?
This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
I have mature holly bushes at least 14 years old on the side of my house. After snow this winter, three of them have many black leaves all over. New growth is coming up, but the old black leaves are hanging on. What might I treat this with?
I would remove the black leaves, unless the black is caused by a sooty film and the leaves themselves are not black. Then I would treat for sooty mold. This article will help if it is sooty mold:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
Our holly bush looks like it's been eaten by pests. It is bearing white flowers.
There are several pests it could be. Can you send a picture of the damage? We can better identify if we see the damage. This article will help to:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm