My neighbour and I share a large holly bush. Over the past few months, branches have been dying. It seems to start at the tips of the branches and die back. There are areas where several parts of the branches have dried up, even new growth from this year has been affected. Can you help? Thank you, Russell
This could be a Canker or the symptoms even seed to match Phytophtora Root Rot.
Here are links for you that may help you pinpoint the issue.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/shrubs/hgic2055.html
We are experiencing a period of drought, and I have been watering my Holly plants once a week, but I notice brown leaves now. What is a solution to keep these well and alive?
If you don't mind sacrificing berries, you can cut them back by no more than a third and simply keep them watered. They may need watering twice a week if it's that dry.
What is the problem and solution for my holly bush? It has spots that look like tiny pieces of white rice stuck to the underside.
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
Have had beautiful holly bush for several years but recently the leaves are turning brown and limbs seem to be dying. What would cause this?
Browning and dying leaves can be the end result of environmental issues, insects or fungus.
I would do some further inspection.
Remove dead material from the bush and dispose of.
Treat with Neem oil as it works as both an insecticide and fungicide.
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/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
How and when to prune variegated holly trees?
Most hollies are shrubs but can get rather large and tree-like without regular pruning. While most pruning is done in December, you can still prune now but it may affect the number of berries produced this year. Hollies, as with most shrubs, can be pruned back by a third of their growth. Any more than that will likely harm the plants. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
My Holly tree is about 25 years old gets lots of flowers but never berries. What is the reason?
Here is a link that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-bush-no-berries.htm
Holly shrubs have strange growths on trunk and branches. Killing the shrubs. Looks like dried leaves. Could this be some type of fungus? Never saw this in NY.
It sounds like a lichen, which is a kind of fungus. It is normally harmless, though it grows on stressed plants. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htm