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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.
What should I feed my holly tree?
How to care for hollies. 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.
Is Miracle Grow good for holly bushes?
Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Miracid® Acid-Loving Plant Food is great for use on Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias, Hibiscus, Holly, Hydrangeas, Orchids, and many others.
How do you rejuvenate a holly tree?
Cut branches just above new leaf buds or all the way back to main branch. Don’t remove lower limbs of English holly. Instead, allow them to branch to the ground. If holly bushes require some major rejuvenation, however, they can be cut to the ground; again, this should be done during winter dormancy.
Are coffee grounds good for holly bushes?
Feed Your Acid-Loving Plants Place coffee grounds around the soil of your acid-loving plants such as azaleas, hydrangeas, lilies, roses, rhododendrons, holly, gardenias and many others. Coffee grounds increase acidity and nutrients in the soil. This is our favorite reason to use coffee grounds in your garden.
How do you encourage holly to grow?
Prune the stems and avoid cutting the leaves. If you cut the leaves they will discolour at the edges although they grow through this after a couple of years. It’s best to cut the stem above an actively growing bud. This will encourage the bud to grow and produce a new stem and leaves.
Why are the leaves on my holly tree turning yellow?
Iron deficiency and yellow holly leaves can be caused by many things. The most common reasons for this is either overwatering 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.
Can you fertilize holly in the summer?
The fertilizer can be applied every couple of months during the spring and summer seasons for optimal growth. You’ll also want to make sure that you water the soil after applying the fertilizer. Learn more about this fertilizer on Amazon.
How do you take care of a holly tree?
Hollies like: Light: Holly plants to best in full sun. Soil: Well drained loamy soil that is slightly acidic. Water: Hollies like a moderate amount of water, usually adequately provided by rainfall. Mulch: Several inches of mulch to prevent freeze-thaw damage to the shallow roots.
How do you thicken a holly tree?
One trick I’ve found to “densen up” hollies is shearing. Hollies are good at pushing out new leaf buds even when you cut back into bare wood. The cuts often stimulate new growth from multiple buds, giving the plant a fuller habit as the new leaves grow.
Why is my holly dying?
The browned leaves and dead branches are the result of winter injury, likely sustained during the very cold temperatures we had back in January. Broad-leaved evergreens, such as hollies or rhododendrons, are particularly susceptible to damage. Yet, cold temperatures aren’t the only factor.
When should I rejuvenate holly?
Rejuvenation or renewal pruning entails cutting back the entire shrub in late winter or early spring to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground using sharp, sanitary pruning shears.
How often should you fertilize holly bushes?
This type of fertilization should be done three or four times per year, starting in April and ending by the mid-July. Soil can also be acidified with soil sulfur, aluminum sulfate or cotton seed meal, however, these products will not fertilize the plant. Mulch is also important to acid loving plants.
Can I make my own fertilizer?
Make Your Own Compost Save your fruit and vegetable scraps, newspapers, grass clippings, and other compostable materials. Compost is loaded with nutrients and microorganisms that are good for your garden. It is a top-notch organic fertilizer that can be used anywhere in the garden.
What kind of soil do holly trees like?
The American holly grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. While it prefers normal moisture, the tree has some flood tolerance and drought resistance.
How can you tell if a holly tree is male or female?
The best way to determine the sex of holly plants is by examining the flowers, which are located between the leaf and branch joint. Although the small clusters of creamy white flowers are similar in appearance, males have more prominent stamens than females.
When should holly bushes be trimmed?
So for best outcome and to ensure your hollies aren’t unduly stressed, wait until late winter or early spring — just as the plant breaks dormancy — before you do any major downsizing. By waiting till your hollies are about to begin active growth, you’ll also avoid several months of a skeleton appearance.
Where is the best place to plant a holly tree?
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.
