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- Q.Holly Shrub - Something is eating the leaves from my female (red berries) holly shrub, up the main stem and from the main ...
- Q.Disease Of Holly Bushes - Along my driveway are some holly bushes planted as a hedge approx. 3-4 ft. high and a large section lower ...
- Q.Holly Leaves - The holly leaves are covered on the top with a black soot like covering which will rub off. Underneath the ...
- Q.Holly Bush - What are the white perfectly rectangular bright white, one fourth inch by one sixteen inch strips under my holly leaves? ...
- Q.Holly - I have a Holly "tree" in my garden. I don't know the variety - it does not produce berries. It ...
- Q.Holly Bush Problem - My holly bush (and my neighbor's holly bushes) show white, dusty patches under their leaves and on their canes (wooden ...
- Q.Holly Bush Pruning - The previous tenant let some holly bushes get overgrown. I want to trim them back heavily (i.e. cut back the ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
June 1, 2015Q.Holly Shrub
Something is eating the leaves from my female (red berries) holly shrub, up the main stem and from the main stem, up the branches. New growth is still appearing at the ends of the branches. There are no visible signs of insects on the top or bottom of the leaves. Remaining leaves all look healthy, green and shiny. How do I address this? Pruning will destroy the shrub.
Answered by
Heather on
June 2, 2015
Certified ExpertA.There are several insects that could be feasting on your shrub. However, regardless of which one it is, I would recommend neem oil. This natural insecticide/fungicide is effective on a wide variety pests. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
June 2, 2015Q.disease of holly bushes
Along my driveway are some holly bushes planted as a hedge approx. 3-4 ft. high and a large section lower down (bottom 2 ft.) is being covered by what appears to be (or I assume) is a spiderweb and the leaves are turning black. But I see no signs of spiders or other bugs and nothing seems to get trapped in the web like normally seen with spiders. All sources I see mention spiders, mites, blights, etc. common to hollies but they don't match the description or symptoms of my bushes. Area affected was about 12-18 in. Across last year but is now near 3 ft. Wide. Any insight would be a help.
- Answered by
Heather on
June 3, 2015
Certified ExpertA.I would definitely check for pests, in particular mites. They will be very small and will be on the underside of the leaves. When you see webbing, it is usually from mites. This article will help with treatment:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/spider-mite-treatment.htmAs 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. 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 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 5, 2015Q.Holly leaves
The holly leaves are covered on the top with a black soot like covering which will rub off. Underneath the leaf I notice white deposits, not spots but small lines, which also rub off. Thank you.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 8, 2015A.It sounds like sooty mold, which is a symptom of several kinds of pests, such as scale or mealy bugs, that can attack hollies. I recommend treating the plants with neem oil. This will kill any pests on the plant and treat the sooty mold as well. These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.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.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 6, 2015Q.holly bush
What are the white perfectly rectangular bright white, one fourth inch by one sixteen inch strips under my holly leaves? There are approx anywhere from ten to thirty of these on each leaf. There is also a tiny circle dot at one end. The dot is beige and the strips are chalky, leading me to guess it's a fungus. I am brushing them off leaf by leaf and rinsing with water and baking soda. Can this spread to other plants?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 8, 2015A.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.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 6, 2015Q.Holly
I have a Holly "tree" in my garden. I don't know the variety - it does not produce berries. It has grown too tall. Would it be damaged if I was to have the tree shortened, i.e. the crown taken out, to bring it to the same level as other shrubs in the vicinity? I would appreciate your advice. Thank you.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 8, 2015A.You can cut them back by about a third without doing any harm. If necessary, you can take another third next year until the shrub/tree is the way you want it. As for having no berries, this would be due to the fact that you only have one holly. Both a male and female holly are needed in order to get berries, which are only produced by female plants.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 6, 2015Q.holly bush problem
My holly bush (and my neighbor's holly bushes) show white, dusty patches under their leaves and on their canes (wooden areas). My neighbor's bushes look to be almost dead where mine appears to only slightly affected. What can I do and what is the disease?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 8, 2015A.The white, dusty patches you describe is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is caused by fungus that attack Holly leaves, sometimes covering them entirely with a thin white powdery coating. For more information, here is an article or two that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/get-the-cure-for-powdery-mildew.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/powdery-mildew-homemade-and-organic-remedies.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 8, 2015Q.Holly Bush Pruning
The previous tenant let some holly bushes get overgrown. I want to trim them back heavily (i.e. cut back the sides by 4-6 inches toward the trunk) - but do not want to potentially damage the bushes. I believe they are either American or Chinese holly. Thank you very much for your guidance.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 9, 2015A.Here are some holly trimming guidelines.
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