Once an evergreen like a Japanese holly drops its leaves , the root system is already dead. Lack of water is the No. 1 reason for this – especially for a new transplant planted in summer. Sometimes transplant shock will cause a new holly to drop leaves dramatically soon after planting.
Does Japanese holly stay green all year?
Hetz’s Japanese holly is an evergreen shrub, but it is a broadleaved, rather than a needled, evergreen. Its glossy, delicate leaves can make it a great choice if you are in the market for a bush with dense foliage that stays green year-round .
Do holly bushes 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. But even evergreen plants drop some old leaves every year. Usually these leaves are dropped from the interior of the plant.
Is Japanese holly an evergreen?
About Compact Japanese Holly (Ilex Compacta)
Compact Japanese Holly (Ilex Compacta) is an evergreen ornamental shrub with a dense globular form. This shrub is truly a sun lover, so make sure to plant it in an area that will receive 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Do holly trees lose their leaves in summer?
You write that your Holly looses some of its leaves during the summertime and this year’s loss of leaves could quite easily have been caused by the sustained hot weather during July and August.
Is Japanese holly invasive?
This plant grows slowly, but can be invasive . Its dark green leaves are lustrous and the black fruit is hidden beneath them, so it is not obvious as in other hollies. Use Japanese holly in foundation plantings, hedges, beds and borders, or formal gardens.
How often should you water Japanese holly?
Supply the plants with water each week it does not rain through the first growing season. This encourages the development of deep roots. This holly bush needs 1 inch of water each week .
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.
How long do holly trees 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 .
Why are the leaves on my holly turning yellow?
Yellow leaves on holly trees is a fairly common problem for gardeners. On a holly, yellow leaves typically indicates an iron deficiency , also known as iron chlorosis. When a holly plant does not get enough iron, the plant cannot produce chlorophyll and you get yellow leaves on your holly bush.
Is Japanese holly fast growing?
This form of Japanese holly, Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’, is fast growing and is a very good hedge either sheared or un-sheared. It is a handsome utility plant that is durable alternative to the slower growing boxwood.
Is there a dwarf Japanese holly?
The dwarf Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) is an evergreen broad-leaf shrub that is popular in the South and other mild regions. It fares best in U.S. Department of Agricultural plant hardiness zones 6 through 9.
How do you take care of Japanese holly?
Japanese holly care includes regular irrigation to keep the soil moist . It helps to spread a few inches (8 cm.) of organic mulch over the planting area to hold moisture in the soil. Japanese holly plants do best in zones 6 to 7 or 8, depending on the cultivar.
How do you save a dying holly tree?
Although it may drop its damaged leaves, it will flush new ones in the spring. If you do have sections of dead branches, you should prune them out . Hollies are very tolerant of being pruned and will often re-sprout even if they are cut to the ground.
What is the best fertilizer for holly trees?
Fertilizing Holly Bushes
Compost or well-rotted livestock manure makes 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.
Why is my holly tree shedding leaves?
Holly leaf blight is a disease that causes leaf fall and twig die-back in several holly species. Holly blight in hedges causes arches of defoliation.
