- Fertilizing Basics. Fertilizing holly bushes in March and September encourages rapid, healthy growth. Feeding them in late autumn specifically gives them a kick-start for the next year's growing season.
- Types of Fertilizers. Since hollies prefer slightly acidic soil, acid-based fertilizers are smart choices when it's time to feed your shrubs.
- Organic Matter. Holly bushes appreciate a layer of compost on the soil above the root zone. This adds nutrients to the soil just like a traditional fertilizer would.
- For Nutrient Deficiencies. Sometimes soil lacks nutrients that holly bushes need to thrive. ...
What do you feed a holly tree?
When feeding my Holly trees, I use a slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer that contains iron and sulfur at rates recommended on the product label. Alternatively, you can feed with mild, organic plant food .
What is the best fertilizer for holly bushes?
Holly bushes like soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0, and some fertilizers can acidify the soil while fertilizing holly bushes. Fertilizers formulated for broad-leaved evergreens (such as azaleas , rhododendrons and camellias) work well for hollies, too.
How to take care of sea holly?
Sea Holly Care 1 Light. A full day of sun (at least eight hours) will give you the strongest sea holly plants and the most blooms. 2 Soil. The best planting medium for sea holly plants is dry, sandy soil that is still rich with organic matter. 3 Water. ... 4 Temperature and Humidity. ... 5 Fertilizer. ...
What do you put on holly bushes to keep them alive?
The organic matter can consist of pine bark, or leftovers from crops such as buckwheat, corn or grass. You can also add farm manure, but keep in mind that it has a high nitrogen content. This organic matter also acts as a mulch, helping the soil retain water so the holly bush doesn't dry out.
See more
When should I feed my holly tree?
Holly bushes thrive in slightly acidic soils that contain high amounts of organic matter. Applying fertilizer to the holly is best done in early spring or late fall after a hard freeze.
Can you use Miracle Grow on hollies?
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 promote holly growth?
Growing Holly Bushes Fertilize your holly bushes once a year with a balanced fertilizer. They do not need to be watered in normal conditions, but if your area is experiencing a drought, you should give your holly bushes at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of water per week.
What is the best compost for holly trees?
You can purchase bagged compost at gardening centers, but many gardeners report that a homemade mix is the best compost for holly trees (as well as for their other plants). The manure is fully decomposed livestock waste, often mixed with wood shavings or sawdust, the University of New Hampshire Extension says.
How do you rejuvenate holly bushes?
0:274:01In the Garden - Pruning Holly Bushes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHard in late winter. Maybe early spring right before a new growth begins.MoreHard in late winter. Maybe early spring right before a new growth begins.
Are coffee grounds good for holly bushes?
It is well known that holly plants love acidic soil. Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of Holly Shrubs and Holly Trees for dense foliage growth and improved berry production.
How do I make my holly bush Fuller?
The received wisdom is to prune stems rather than leaves, and to do this as close to a flowering bus as possible. Doing so will encourage the bud to grow, and is the quickest way to facilitate new growth on your holly tree.
How do you make holly bushes thicker?
1:232:22Gardening Tips : How to Prune a Holly Bush - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you still want to prune them at least once a year just to get some of the growth contained. AndMoreBut you still want to prune them at least once a year just to get some of the growth contained. And that way then they'll fill in much better and it's always good to prune some of the dead.
Can you over water holly?
Making sure your holly tree gets the right amount of water is so very important to its growth. Giving it too much water will rot out its roots and leaves, and not giving it enough water will kill your holly tree.
How do you feed a holly tree?
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.
Why are the leaves on my holly turning yellow?
Yellow leaves on holly trees is a fairly common problem for gardeners. On a holly, yellow leaves typically indicates an iron deficiency, also known as iron chlorosis. When a holly plant does not get enough iron, the plant cannot produce chlorophyll and you get yellow leaves on your holly bush.
How often should holly be watered?
Water daily for the first week after you plant your holly bush, then twice a week afterward until they are established. After that, the bush should receive at least 2 inches of water per week. Fertilize once a year. Weed often, and prune regularly so that the holly doesn't choke itself out.
What kind of fertilizer do you use on holly bushes?
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.
Why you shouldn't use Miracle-Gro?
Why Is Miracle-Gro Bad? Depending on the Miracle-Gro products you use, Miracle-Gro may have high levels of salt, which over time strip your soil of its natural nutrients and prevent plants from absorbing them, causing a type of “lawn burn.”
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 just sprinkle miracle grow around plants?
It offers faster delivery of nutrients via plant tissue and arteries but isn't recommended for houseplants and should only be used on outdoor plants when weather conditions are favorable.
What are hollies in the garden?
By Ashley Mackenzie. Hollies (Ilex spp.) are low-maintenance shrubs, often showcasing rich green leaves and red berries. They come in prickly leafed evergreen varieties and deciduous types with rounder leaves. As dioecious plants, they have male and female flowers on different shrubs, though sometimes bees can carry pollen for long distances, ...
Why are my holly leaves yellowing?
If your holly sh rubs exhibit symptoms of nutrient deficiencies -- specifically yellowing leaves that nitrogen doesn't fix -- you can perform a soil test to determine which nutrients your soil lacks. Garden supply stores often sell home soil test kits if you don't want to pay for a professional analysis.
How much water does a Holly bush need?
If you prefer to do things the old-fashioned (but completely reliable) way and measure water amounts, a holly bush needs at least 2 inches of water per week, reports HGTV. Between fertilizer and water, there is no guarantee that your holly bush will grow to 80 feet tall, but it almost surely will grow on you.
What is the best compost for holly trees?
You can purchase bagged compost at gardening centers, but many gardeners report that a homemade mix is the best compost for holly trees (as well as for their other plants). The manure is fully decomposed livestock waste, often mixed with wood shavings or sawdust, the University of New Hampshire Extension says.
How to identify the root zone of a holly bush?
A simple tactic should help you identify the root zone: Find the longest branch, gently pull it toward you and then encircle the holly bush with it in your hand. The diameter represents the root zone, and it’s where you should apply the fertilizer.
How many species of holly are there?
It often comes down to fertilizer. The holly genus includes about 500 species, and while you don’t have nearly as many choices when it comes to fertilizer, you may enjoy mulling your options.
How tall is a holly plant?
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. That really was a potted holly plant you saw, standing all of 3 feet tall. But that English holly (Ilex aquifolium) that you’re eyeing for your backyard is about 15 feet tall and 8 feet wide, though you’ve heard it can stretch to 80 feet tall and 25 feet wide. The difference?
Do holly plants need water?
Since water nourishes both, it’s smart to put your holly bush on a regular watering schedule. If you’re not sure how, Wil son Brothers Gardens recommends soaking the holly bush thoroughly.
Do you have to soak holly bush after fertilizing?
Read the directions on the fertilizer label, though in all likelihood, you will have to give the holly bush a slow and deep soak afterward. You may notice that some fertilizers are marked “slow release” – a favored quality among many gardening experts.
How Do You Know When to Fertilize Hollies
There are clues if your holly needs to be fertilized. The holly may have a yellowish cast to the leaves indicating that there is either a lack of nitrogen in the soil or it is too alkaline. Of course the holly may need watered too.
Best Time To Fertilize Hollies
Depending on the slow release fertilizer, you can fertilize at the time of planting. Some granular formulations will recommend fertilizing in the spring and after a frost.
Best Fertilizer For Hollies
There are different kinds of fertilizer for hollies. One is a water soluble fertilizer that gives it a quick shot of fertilizer but washes out quickly with rain. Think of it as an energy drink that is a temporary fix. Another is a slow release granular formulation that feeds the plant all season long.
4. How Do I Fertilize Holly?
If you want to fertilize holly there are several important tips you should follow:
5. When Should I Fertilize Holly?
When you should fertilize holly depends on the holly you grow (annual or perennial), when the holly blooms, and the fertilizer you use.
6. How Often Should I Fertilize My Holly?
How often you should fertilize your holly depends on the fertilizer and soil.
7. How Do I Know if My Holly Need Fertilizer?
You will know if your holly need fertilizer if you observe one of the following:
8. What Alternatives to Fertilizers Can I Apply to Holly?
If you do not want to use retail or commercial flower fertilizers then you can use the below alternatives. These alternatives will not only help your plant but the soil around it:
How do I keep holly trees healthy in the winter?
To conserve moisture throughout the growing season and suppress weed growth, I also always apply a 1 to 2" layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around holly trees in late winter. As the mulch decomposes it will add vital nutrients to the soil that your trees will appreciate.
What is the pH of a Holly tree?
Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. Holly trees prefer an acid to neutral soil ranging from 5.0 to 7.0 on the pH scale. Once you know the soil pH, if necessary, you can adjust it to meet the needs of your tree. Testing Soil pH.
How deep do holly trees grow?
The root system of a holly tree might grow 2 feet deep but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots.
How to keep a plant from drying out?
At planting time. Water deeply at planting time, making sure the soil around the root ball and the root ball itself is moist all the way down to its base. Then, each day thereafter, check the soil moisture and only provide water if the soil has dried out somewhat or is just lightly damp. After several days of checking soil moisture you should ...
Do holly trees need water?
During the cooler winter months holly trees won't require as much attention to watering. Provide water only if necessary to keep the soil damp. At planting time. When planted during the winter, deep soak the soil and the root ball after planting.
Do you have to water a Holly tree?
However, in average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted holly tree every day. More often than not, this causes constantly wet soil conditions that can lead to root rot. In the absence of sufficient rainfall water only as needed to keep the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist.
Is it better to soak Holly trees?
Keep in mind that deep soaking less frequently is much better than splashing just a little water around the tree every day. Deep soaking promotes deep root growth and can reduce water loss by evaporation. Thereafter. When established, Holly trees are quite drought tolerant.
Why is fertilizer important for Holly trees?
Significance of Fertilizer. Maintaining a acidic soil is important to facilitate efficient uptake of necessary nutrients by the holly tree's roots. A lack of nutrients leads most commonly to chlorosis, which is the unhealthy yellowing of foliage.
What is a holly tree?
Among the most stately but slow-growing broadleaf evergreen plants for the garden, holly trees (Ilex spp.) are beloved for their toothed leaves and displays of colorful berries that persist through winter. Two classic holly tree species are American and English holly, ...
What are the benefits of mulching holly trees?
Benefits of Organic Mulch. Holly trees prosper when the soil is rich in organic matter, especially with a mulch that degrades and creates an acidic soil environment. Fallen holly leaves, pine bark, oak leaf mold, and evergreen needles make superb mulch top dressings over the root zone of hollies.
Is holly a cold tolerant plant?
Among the most stately but slow-growing broadleaf evergreen plants for the garden, holly trees (Ilex spp.) American holly is more cold tolerant, grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 9, ...
Is American Holly cold tolerant?
American holly is more cold tolerant, grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 9, whereas English holly is best in USDA zones 6 and 7 (or through zone 10 if in the less humid Pacific states) according to Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia.