Our holly bush has a long slender 1/8 to 1/4 white looking "cocoon" on the leaves. When touched, a white powdery substance comes off. Also, it appears to have 'black smut" on the twigs. We have had very wet-cool weather this spring. Any help would be appreciated. Also, is there any spray or treatment we could do?
The white powdery substance is powdery mildew and can be treated with neem oil. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm The black substance sounds like a sooty mold issue, most often brought on by pests. Neem oil can also be used to get rid of the pests as well as the fungus This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
My female holly did not do well during the winter months. The main plant is brown and dry. There is life at the root areas, up to about 2 inches. Should I cut back the dead part and try to let it grow again?
Yes, you can cut back the shrub to the healthy, green growth and it should regrow.
My holly bush looked ok but under every leaf was an infestation that looked like white maggots. What is it? I cut all branches off. Should I dig up root as well?
It is possible that it is scale or mealybugs. I like to treat both with neem oil. It is very effective and safe. These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm, 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.htm
We had these bushes for a few years now and this year after the harsh winter the leaves have turned brown. What can we do?
You're not alone. Holly was probably the most seriously affected plant this past winter. This article will tell you about "winter burn:" https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/winter-burn-in-evergreens.htm
If you're not sure about pruning your holly, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
Three years ago we bought a male and female holly bush. They were beautiful the first 2 years - female with red berries, male had little white flowers and nice green leaves. This year, though, the male bush is growing and is in great shape. However, the female bush is just about dead. Our question is do we really have to have a female bush for the male one continues to grow, or is it just that we cannot grow a female without the male? Living in Syracuse, NY can produce all kinds of strange weather, winter cold and lots of snow or, as this year, a real mild one.
You do not need one of each so much to grow them but in order to get the berries. If you would like berries on your female holly plants, then you must have a male nearby. However, if you simply want to grow holly and are not concerned about the berries, you can either grow one female or one male.
I have 6 holly bushes planted in a circle in front of my house. They are spreading and I can't kill the overgrowth. I have considered cutting everything down and planting roses. What should I do?
Of course, it's your yard, and if you want to pull out the holly and plant roses instead, that's a perfectly reasonable choice. However, you should be able to discipline the holly into the appearance you want from them by pruning. This article should give you some ideas: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
Just noticed the plant getting brown leaves and black stems but didn't see any insects. Also some on a tomato plant. Thank you. Dottie
The most likely answer is that the eggs are actually scale of some kind. Scale are small insects that are covered with a shell, and fix themselves to the plant to suck its juice -- kind of like vampire oysters. You can spray them with neem oil or soap solution. This article has more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/scale-bug-how-to-control-plant-scale.htm
Just be sure to use your spray at weekly intervals for four weeks.