Holly Bush

Question: Can you please tell me if there is something wrong with my Holly bush? I am including a picture of my healthy one along with the one that I am not sure of.

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 02, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT
response: Both the plants were planted in 2020, and they are next to each other, but the unhealthy one has not changed at all. I have 5 more plants in the same area and they are identical to the healthy one.

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied October 02, 2024, 4:26 PM EDT
response: Hi.  Thanks for your patience, and for the extra information.  I'm consulting with our plant pathologist to see what she thinks.  In the meantime, can you think of any difference in their location?  For example, it looks like the "sad" plant is right next to a gutter drain.  Is that area often wet?  Does it drain differently than the rest of the bed?  Are there any pets that might be "using" that plant?  Is it in a corner that gets less sun?  Or more wintery weather?  If you look closely (pull back the mulch), do the roots look different from the healthier plants?  While we wait to get more insight, here are a couple of links to holly information.  Let me know if something clicks when you read the descriptions. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holly-diseases-insect-pests/ https://extension.psu.edu/holly-diseases

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied October 03, 2024, 11:54 AM EDT
response: Hi.  Here's a quick update - our plant pathologist suggests that the problem originates with something "lower in the plant", that is, probably not from a leaf pest or disease.  It is possible that this plant was planted lower than the others?  Or again, that it gets more rain run-off than the others?    Keeping in mind that I don't know the full situation, if it were me, I would consider pruning it back, digging it up, and (assuming the roots are healthy), refreshing the soil, and replanting.   I hope this is helpful.  Let me know if I can help further.

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied October 03, 2024, 11:55 AM EDT
response: Hi.  Here's a quick update - our plant pathologist suggests that the problem originates with something "lower in the plant", that is, probably not from a leaf pest or disease.  It is possible that this plant was planted lower than the others?  Or again, that it gets more rain run-off than the others?    Keeping in mind that I don't know the full situation, if it were me, I would consider pruning it back, digging it up, and (assuming the roots are healthy), refreshing the soil, and replanting.   I hope this is helpful.  Let me know if I can help further.

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied October 03, 2024, 11:55 AM EDT
response: Hi.  Here's a quick update - our plant pathologist suggests that the problem originates with something "lower in the plant", that is, probably not from a leaf pest or disease.  It is possible that this plant was planted lower than the others?  Or again, that it gets more rain run-off than the others?    Keeping in mind that I don't know the full situation, if it were me, I would consider pruning it back, digging it up, and (assuming the roots are healthy), refreshing the soil, and replanting.   I hope this is helpful.  Let me know if I can help further.

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied October 03, 2024, 11:57 AM EDT
response: Hi.  Here's a quick update - our plant pathologist suggests that the problem originates with something "lower in the plant", that is, probably not from a leaf pest or disease.  It is possible that this plant was planted lower than the others?  Or again, that it gets more rain run-off than the others?    Keeping in mind that I don't know the full situation, if it were me, I would consider pruning it back, digging it up, and (assuming the roots are healthy), refreshing the soil, and replanting.   I hope this is helpful.  Let me know if I can help further.

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied October 03, 2024, 11:59 AM EDT
response: Hi.  Here's a quick update - our plant pathologist suggests that the problem originates with something "lower in the plant", that is, probably not from a leaf pest or disease.  It is possible that this plant was planted lower than the others?  Or again, that it gets more rain run-off than the others?    Keeping in mind that I don't know the full situation, if it were me, I would consider pruning it back, digging it up, and (assuming the roots are healthy), refreshing the soil, and replanting.   I hope this is helpful.  Let me know if I can help further.