Holly Bushes - Knowledgebase Question

Fruits and Vegetables
Concord, NH
Question by Kagutz9
May 6, 2007
I planted a female and male holly bush two years ago. This year all the leaves have turned a rusty color. The branches are green. I cut all the rusty leaves off, is there anything I can do to bring them back. I wonder if I planted them to close to each other, they are about two feet apart. Any help you can give me will be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Karen Geremia


Image
Answer from NGA
May 6, 2007

0

 It sounds like winter damage. If only the leaves, but not the branches are involved, you can simply allow the plants to recover on their own. They will sprout new leaves along the branches as long as the branches were not killed, as well. It's always a good idea to wait before pruning - sometimes latent buds will generate new leaves along bare branches. Once you're sure the branches are dead - you can prune them off. Your hollies are planted very close. If you have room to move one of them, I'd recommend doing so. If space is at a premium in your garden you can leave them where they are. They will simply grow into one another and look like a single shrub with two trunks. Hollies are very adaptable in that manner.

Best wishes with your landscape!

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