| Two of my carissa hollies have branches holding leaves more like an original old-time holly (multiple spines on each leaf, 5 large and 4 small) instead of the single tip spine also seen on these and the other carissa hollies. Why is this? |
| Carissa hollies are often grafted onto an Ilex rootstock for more vigorous growth. The leaves you describe sound like they're coming from below the graft. Trace the branches down to see where they are attached to the plant. If they're orginating from below the graft (swelling) on the main stem, they're coming from the root stock and not from the carrisa. Prune them off where they originate. Best wishes with your landscape! |
