Significant leaf drop on Blue Princess Holly tree - Ask Extension
My holly has been experiencing yellow leaf drop since Spring, & has lost a lot of interior leaves. Please look at photos attached for your assess...
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Significant leaf drop on Blue Princess Holly tree #876166
Asked July 07, 2024, 1:31 AM EDT
My holly has been experiencing yellow leaf drop since Spring, & has lost a lot of interior leaves. Please look at photos attached for your assessment of the problem & how I can treat it. I planted the holly tree 3 years ago. I recently fertilized with Jack's for acid loving plants 2-3 weeks ago, but that didn't seem to help. Many Thanks for your kind assistance.
Summit County Ohio
Expert Response
Kathy,
While it is normal for hollies to drop some leaves in the spring, your situation seems more severe. I don't see any evidence of leaf blight in your photos, but it would be good for you to look closely to confirm the absence of the tar-like spots of this disease:
https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/1029644-Phytophthora-ilicis
Given the drought we experienced since June, I suspect that your bush may be suffering from stress. You've taken a good first step by adding fertilizer, but it may take a while for the plant to improve. In the meantime, ensure that there is 1" of rain or supplement with a thorough watering once per week (without wetting the leaves).
Also, these holly hybrids are susceptible to winter damage and we experienced some very cold days (suddenly) in December. Your plant appears to be well established, so it should recover with adequate watering and the fertilizer that you've already applied.
I have to tell you, last year, I pulled out all of my Meserve hybrid hollies ('Blue Prince', 'Blue Princess') because it was hard for me to keep them looking good in our alkaline soil here in Cincinnati!
Best wishes and please let me know if you have further questions.
While it is normal for hollies to drop some leaves in the spring, your situation seems more severe. I don't see any evidence of leaf blight in your photos, but it would be good for you to look closely to confirm the absence of the tar-like spots of this disease:
https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/1029644-Phytophthora-ilicis
Given the drought we experienced since June, I suspect that your bush may be suffering from stress. You've taken a good first step by adding fertilizer, but it may take a while for the plant to improve. In the meantime, ensure that there is 1" of rain or supplement with a thorough watering once per week (without wetting the leaves).
Also, these holly hybrids are susceptible to winter damage and we experienced some very cold days (suddenly) in December. Your plant appears to be well established, so it should recover with adequate watering and the fertilizer that you've already applied.
I have to tell you, last year, I pulled out all of my Meserve hybrid hollies ('Blue Prince', 'Blue Princess') because it was hard for me to keep them looking good in our alkaline soil here in Cincinnati!
Best wishes and please let me know if you have further questions.
