About 2-3 weeks ago I cut about a 5-inch branch from the top of a very healthy holly bush. I noticed that the branch and surrounding two branches turned brown, like it was dying, and the leaves fall off when touched. The rest of the bush is fine. What did I do wrong, and will the entire bush die?
It's possible that your shears may have had oil or some other chemical on them. Just a thought.
Is it too late to prune my male holly bush? Can it live without a female plant? I had two together and the female died.
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
The male will live just fine without a female. However, if your're looking to get any berries in the future, I suggest getting another female as they are the ones that produce the berries.
I have a Holly tree and it is about 10 feet tall. It is not looking as healthy as it has in the past year. Can I trim the tree to a short height? Also, the leaves are turning a yellow tint and is not as green as it use to be. I put Miracle Grow tree spikes (2) in the drip line of the tree, hoping it would assist the tree in becoming healthier. Can I prune the tree back, and what can I do to get the green foliage back to where it was? Also, how far do I cut the tree back and what can't I do when pruning?
You can trim the plant back by at least a third and it should be fine. Any further than that can cause problems.
On my holly tree I have some pests that are like grey oval dots of aphids, evenly spaced out along the branches. Also, some leaves have what looks like sooty leaves. Can you help please? HARPER
This is most likely aphids or mealy bugs. The black residue is sooty mold, which is caused by the pests. I would treat the plant with neem oil. It is effective against both of these bugs, as well as the sooty mold. Here is more information that may help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/mealybugs-white-residue-on-plants-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
I have not seen red spiders in the front garden where holly is, but they are rampant in the back garden. Do they reside on the back of leaves in a sort of blister? Holly had a large Melianthus major in front of it that had really overgrown its spot, so the holly was suffering (but not now as that has died back completely with freezing weather). It is looking sad, so please advise on what to use. The blisters can be squashed, but it's a lot of prickly leaves!
Those are most likely spider mites, which can be treated with neem oil. These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have holly bushes, though I do not know what kind they are. My question is whether the berries are poisonous to dogs.
They are poisonous, but not typically deadly. They will cause vomiting and nausea.
My two Holly trees are developing a reddish color on one side of the leaf and what look like reddish purple spots on the other side. Can you advise me on a solution to the problem?
This article should help pinpoint the problem:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm