Sign Up
Click on links below to jump to that question.
- Q.Holly Tree - My lovely big holly tree has developed lumps round bottom of trunk. About a year ago we put concrete all ...
- Q.Holly Bush Limbs Are Black - When trimming bush, we noticed that the limbs are black and we have what looks like white eggs on the ...
- Q.Holly Bushes - I recently bought two holly bushes named Royal Duet Holly 'Blue Prince and Blue Princess.' They both have berries on ...
- Q.Holly Trees - For Holly trees to produce berries they need a male and female plant within 200 yards of each other. Do ...
- Q.Why Are My Holly Bushes Dying? - I read that holly bushes will grow well in full sun but the ones I planted in shade are doing ...
- Q.Saving Holly Bushes - I have a client who has three, maybe four, holly bushes he has been trying to save for years. He ...
- Q.How Do I Get My Holly To Produce Red Berries? - My username must show you how much I love hollies. Well, I have one that is doing good except that ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
June 29, 2015Q.Holly Tree
My lovely big holly tree has developed lumps round bottom of trunk. About a year ago we put concrete all round the tree to finish off a paving area. I'm wondering if we were ignorant in doing this and are keeping air from getting to roots. I notice that even the concrete has started to crack. Help!
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 30, 2015A.Yes, this would most likely kill the tree.
The roots need to be able to absorb water, breath and grow.
You may be faced with the decision of the tree or the concrete patio.
Was this answer useful?00
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
- Asked by
juliaa on
June 29, 2015
North CarolinaQ.Holly bush limbs are black
When trimming bush, we noticed that the limbs are black and we have what looks like white eggs on the branches and under the leaves. What would cause this?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 30, 2015A.This may be Mealybug and a fungus both occurring on your plants.
Neem Oil is a good treatment as it works as both a fungicide and insecticide.Here are a few links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/mealybugs-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.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 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 3, 2015Q.holly bushes
I recently bought two holly bushes named Royal Duet Holly 'Blue Prince and Blue Princess.' They both have berries on them. Does this mean they are both female? And if so, why have both prince and princess on the label? If they are both female and I have to plant a male, can it be a China Boy or other variety? This is my first try at planting holly and want to have some berries in the winter for the birds. I live in area 5 in Illinois. Thank you.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 3, 2015A.You are right in thining they may both be females, as females are the ones that produce berries. It's possible that one of the plants was mislabled. This article may be helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-male-and-female-holly-bush.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 4, 2015Q.Holly trees
For Holly trees to produce berries they need a male and female plant within 200 yards of each other. Do these have to be of the same variety or can they be different - eg variegated female and non variegated male?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 5, 2015A.Yes, it is better for them to be of the same variety in order to produce berries.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
gwitham on
July 13, 2015
zone 6 southern IndianaQ.Why are my holly bushes dying?
I read that holly bushes will grow well in full sun but the ones I planted in shade are doing well, but the ones in full sun are dying. The soil is clay, but mixed with sand and a layer of good soil on top with mulch on the surface. I need help. Gary Witham
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 14, 2015A.Holly does prefer sun but can tolerate and do well in partial shade.
They seem to adapt well to many soil conditions as well.
Inspect the plant carefully for insects or disease.
Clay soil certainly could be an issue with water not draining. This certainly can differ from shrub to shrub.
Are these new plantings? Or established plants?
If they are new plantings and the summer heat and sun can be to much for the plant until the roots take hold.
Here are a few links for you with more information.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
zahara12389 on
July 16, 2015
Greenfield, MA 01301Q.Saving Holly Bushes
I have a client who has three, maybe four, holly bushes he has been trying to save for years. He says two (maybe 3) years ago we had a very cold winter which the holly never recovered from. Now the majority of the bushes appear dead but there is good new growth at the bottom. And some of the top branches appear to still be living, even though they haven't had any green on them for over 2 years. We need to know if we should cut off all the branches that have not produced green (basically the whole top of each bush)? Fertilizer? How and when to prune? Watering habits? Anything helps, as he is an older gentleman and doesn't know what kind of Holly they are. The beautiful green at the bottom tells me that we can rejuvenate and space these holly bush but HOW? Anything helps. Thank You!
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 17, 2015A.Winter Scorch is tough on Holly and the last winter was very cold across the entire United States.
Here are a few links with more information.
I would go ahead and cut off the dead material now, then wait to do any pruning on the new growth until this fall or next spring.
Fertilizing this fall also.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/leaf-scorching-in-holly.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
robinholly on
July 17, 2015
Zone 7Q.How do I get my holly to produce red berries?
My username must show you how much I love hollies. Well, I have one that is doing good except that it has not produced any red berries since I planted it 3 years ago. It had the berries at the nursery the day I purchased it, so I thought it would have them again. The label reads: Ilex X "Conin" PP9486. Any info you can provide to help me see he beautiful red berries and help feed our many birds would be appreciated!
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 18, 2015A.To have Holly berries you need a male and female plant.
If the plant you have had berries when you purchased it, it most likely is a female plant.
You will need to plant a male plant!Here are a couple of great links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-bush-no-berries.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-male-and-female-holly-bush.htmWas this answer useful?00
Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert
X
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!