care for holly plant

Once planted and properly established, hollies need very little care and attention. They may need regular watering during prolonged dry periods in summer, especially when young and establishing in the soil. Feed with a general granular plant food in spring and cover the soil with a thick mulch.

Do Holly plants need full sun?

Holly bushes do best in well-drained, moderately acidic soil, in full sun. They don't like to be transplanted, so think carefully about where you'll plant. 2. Pick the right time to plant.

Can you grow Holly in pots?

Some varieties of of holly are more suited to growing in containers because they are dwarf by nature. Chinese hollies (ilex cornuta) are probably the best varieties for growing in containers.

Why is my holly plant dying?

Most diseases of holly can be attributed to fungus. The two most prevalent fungal holly tree diseases are tar spot and cankers. ... Canker – Cankers, another holly tree disease, produce sunken areas on the stems, which eventually die out. Pruning out infected branches is usually necessary in order to save the plant.

Why are my holly leaves turning yellow and falling off?

Iron deficiency and a yellow holly leaves can be caused by many things. The most common reasons for this is either over watering or poor drainage. ... Hollies like soil that has a low pH, in other words, acidic soil. If the pH is too high, the holly plant cannot process the iron and then you get yellow holly leaves.

Where is the best place to plant a holly bush?

The best location for planting holly bushes is in well-drained but not dry, slightly acidic soil in full sun. That being said, most hollies are very tolerant of less than ideal locations and will grow well in part shade or dry or swampy soil.

How long do holly bushes live?

The Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around 30-50 feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to 100 years or longer.

What is the best fertilizer for holly trees?

Gardeners have lots of options when choosing a holly plant fertilizer. Compost or well-rotted livestock manure make excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice.

Do holly trees have deep roots?

Incredibly hardy, holly plants have an extensive, deep root system that allows them to establish themselves easily and compete well for nutrients and water.

Do you need 2 holly bushes to get berries?

No, all holly bushes do not have berries. Hollies are dioecious, meaning that they need male and female plants in order to produce seeds, which are what berries are. ... It also means that if all of your holly bushes do not have berries, that they may all be male or they all may be female.

How do you rejuvenate a holly tree?

Cut back all the branches of an overgrown holly bush to 6 inches shorter than your desired size for the plant. Prune off branches that cross other branches, and thin out dense areas, removing weak and overcrowded growth. Cut back growing tips each time they put on 6 inches of growth.

Will Holly leaves grow back?

Many holly species can grow into small trees if their growth is not curbed. If hollies become overgrown and need to be drastically reduced in size, they are tolerant of being cut back severely. In fact, a mature holly can generally be cut to the ground and will regrow vigorously from its roots.

What will kill a holly tree?

You can drill multiple holes into the stump and fill them with chemical poisons, or, alternately, as Bob Vila suggests, fill the holes with Epsom salt to slowly kill the stump. It'll take a long time for the poisons to take effect and rot the root, but it's a less labor-intensive method for stump removal.

How do you treat holly leaf spots?

You can use a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water. Gather and remove any leaves that fall, and destroy them to avoid spreading the fungus to nearby trees and infecting new growth. Fungicide applications on the shoots and leaves of holly trees will mitigate the effects of holly leaf spot.

When should you prune a holly tree?

The safest time to prune a holly tree is during its dormant phase, which is late winter to early spring. The tree generally only needs light pruning in order to keep it looking tidy and to maintain its health by removing any congested branches to boost airflow.

Do holly trees lose their leaves in winter?

It's true that (most) Hollies are evergreen plants, keeping their leaves throughout the winter instead of dropping them like deciduous plants. ... As long as the yellowing/falling leaves are evenly distributed throughout the plant and happens mostly in spring, it's perfectly normal and will not hurt the holly at all.

What can I plant next to Holly?

Many gardeners even like to limb up large hollies, so that they grow more in the form of a tree. Left natural, holly plants will mature into a classic evergreen conical shape.
...
Some annual holly companions include:

Impatiens.
Geraniums.
Torenia.
Begonia.
Coleus.
Hypoestes.
Wandering jew.
Lobelia.

Do holly bushes grow fast?

This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

Are holly trees invasive?

Holly Isn't Noxious, But it is Invasive

Very few culturally and economically significant species receive the noxious weed designation. Although not listed as noxious, holly is widely recognized as an invasive plant in our region. ... Holly is a large, slow growing evergreen, usually found as a shrub or small tree.

How do I know if my holly is male or female?

Hollies are generally male or female, so check before you buy. If you want berries on a female plant, you will need to plant a male nearby. Some cultivar names can be confusing: for example, Ilex aquifolium 'Golden Queen' is male, while Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King' is female.

What is Holly used for?

Historically, American holly fruit tea was used as a heart stimulant by American Indians. Yaupon, another type of holly, was used to cause vomiting, and Yaupon tea was used as a ceremonial "cleanser" in South America. Holly is also used for cough, fever, digestive disorders, heart disease, and other conditions.

How much can you prune a holly bush?

Deciduous hollies are in a pruning category all their own. These vigorous growers should be thinned back every year in late winter to improve their shape and encourage new growth. Stems that are thicker than a thumb should be cut to the ground, but never remove more than one-third of the shrub.