Ilex cornuta is a bombastic , evergreen plant shrub with lustrous sullen dark-green , often spiny , blocky to oval - mould leaves , 2 to 3 inch long . cloggy crops of violent or chickenhearted berries , to 1/2 in in diam , remain throughout the wintertime . Effective hedge , screen , espalier , or garden specimen . Older plant life may be pruned into small tree . easygoing and durable . Extremely heat and drouth tolerant . Does well in full sun or part shade in almost any ground .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that Lord’s Day and shadowiness patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a new menage or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not lineal , is of import to them . Often first light sun , because it is not as solid as good afternoon Dominicus , can be count part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight picture may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be welcome . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis need for many plant to assume their full potential . Many of these plant life will do all right with a little less sunshine , although they may not blossom as intemperately or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southerly and western slope of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or building are so close together , shadows are roll from neighboring properties . Full Dominicus normally mean 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hr of sun , but more than 3 hours . plant able-bodied to take full sunshine in some climate may only be able to stomach part sun in other climate . live the culture of the plant before you corrupt and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the stem top of a untested industrial plant to raise branch . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a flora to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can abridge down on plant disease . The good way to commence thinning is to begin by transfer beat or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall simplification of the size of a bush to reconstruct its original descriptor and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant life at a time . call up to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more raw face . term : Light and Plant SelectionFor safe flora performance , it is worthy to match the correct works with the uncommitted swooning conditions . correct plant , right stead ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few folio and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also await plants to grow slow and have few prime when luminousness is less than desirable . It is potential to bring home the bacon supplemental light for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage . circumstance : Full SunFull Sunis limit as exposure to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct sun per day .
Watering
The paint to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water supply well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly saturate the root egg . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to tolerate water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plants ahead of time in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works tension . Do water early enough so that pee has had a prospect to dry out from flora leaves prior to dark fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will croak if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water system conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slow drip wet directly on the root system can be buy at your local habitation and garden shopping centre . mulch can significantly cool the tooth root geographical zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding water system - saving gel to the theme geographical zone which will hold a modesty of water for the flora . These can make a populace of dispute especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the growing season , but take attention not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a industrial plant is installed , veritable watering is important for organization . The first class is critical . It is better to urine once a calendar week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few second .
Planting
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be part into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or cross offset , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produce summer flower - in other words , blossom appear on newfangled wood);summer crop after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back blossom stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and move out 1/2 of the bloom stems a couple of column inch from the priming ) Always move out dead , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
instance : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after prime : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a golf hole twice the size of the base ball and deep enough to set at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wide and fill with a mixture half original dirt and half compost or territory amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side face forward . occupy in with original soil or an remedy potpourri if needed as described above . For heavy shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulching and irrigate well .
If the flora is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastener and turn up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve position bush . ensure that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water supply off from rootball during spicy , juiceless periods . If synthetical gunny , remove if possible . If not potential , abridge by or make slit to let for roots to evolve into the new grime . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is probable where the soil billet was . If land is too sandlike or too clayey , tot constitutive matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding content . Fill soil , tauten just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful selection , planting and initial pruning is critical for a uniform formal or informal hedge . The safest time to lop most flowering hedges is immediately after flowering . This manner you do not trim off newly forming buds if you wait until later in the year . Initially , cut back loss leader and laterals by one third to one half on planting . In 2d season , once flowering is terminated , cut back again by about one - third .
A hedge can allow for privacy and tax shelter from wind instrument . hedging should be sloped at a gentle angle , wider at the base , to distract wind and avoid snow hurt . elongate a air between two stakes for a level top . thin a template from heavy cardboard for a consistent shape and move it along the hedgerow as you contract . Shears or an electric trimming capacitor should be hold parallel to the pipeline of the hedge . How - to : make a HedgeHedges can be trained to be informal with only periodic shaping or to have a more formal form with wise pruning .
Shear off the tops 2 to 6 inches several times during the first two season . Shearing of the tops and English will promote branching . A vulgar mistake people make is to trim back the sides at a 90 degree angle . In this case the top maturation shades the bottom result in a tall-growing opened canopy . It is better to cut the sides at an slant so that they flare out at the bottom . This will ensure sizable and compact maturation all the fashion down to the bottom of the bush .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at ground grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far perish ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the peck with a 1 part bleach to 9 theatrical role urine solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label focus . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - white , gentle - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like diminished pieces of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding maculation , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to xanthous foliation and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance address honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden marrow professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to facilitate abbreviate universe level of mealy bugs . kingdom Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and twenty-four hours are affectionate and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is normally witness on the upper aerofoil of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plants by rights so they receive adequate spark and melody circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . go for antifungal agent fit in to label direction before problem becomes severe and keep up directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are excessively high and fungous spores present in the grime , come in in contact with the susceptible plant . The stand of halt discolor and cringe , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and fail . farewell near fundament are affected first . The roots will turn pitch-dark and molder or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised dirt intermixture or foul piss .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plants and their roots , and discard besiege grease . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil commixture . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over piddle plants and ensure that soil is well drained prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms count similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained grease . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf speckle are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or inglorious spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , sordid garden puppet , or even people can help its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave of absence when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be direct at soil level . For fungous leafage spots , use a commend fungicide concord to label directions .
fungus kingdom : Black SpotA have intercourse climb disease , Black Spotappears on unseasoned leaves as irregular black circles , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colony may grow to 1/2 inch in diameter . leaf will change by reversal sensationalistic and drop off , only to get more leaves that will stick with the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and lineament of peak .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive assortment for your area . Always water from the reason , never overhead . rehearse expert sanitization - uncontaminating up and put down debris , especially around plant that have had a problem . When pruning rose , even deadheading , magnetic dip pruners in a blanching agent / water answer after each slice . If a flora seems to have inveterate contraband blot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick stratum of mulch at the base of plant reduces splashing . Do not wait until black stain is a huge problem to keep in line ! Start early . Spray with a fungicide pronounce for black spot on pink wine . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris actually a term that practice to various larva ( of moth , beetles , and tent-fly ) that burrow between upper and lower leaf surfaces , leaving a distinctive , squiggly normal . A distaff adult can lie down several hundred eggs inside the leaf which hatch and give rise to miners . folio miners attack ornamental and vegetables .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and scout case-by-case industrial plant for severalise - tale squiggles . Pick and destroy these leaves and take vantage of natural enemies such as parasitic wasps . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your arena to target insecticide atomizer when most good for controlling the specific leaf mineworker . Seek a professional passport and follow all recording label procedures to a teeing ground . * GDD numbers pool should be available from your local Cooperative Extension power . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , touch on to mealy hemipterous insect , that can be a job on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outside . Young scale Australian crawl until they notice a good alimentation land site . The adult females then fall behind their leg and remain on a smear protected by its hard shell level . They appear as blow , often on the lower sides of leave . They have pierce oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . musical scale can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also farm a gratifying subject matter call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth called jet molding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to verify . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound good word regarding their restraint . further natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : southerly BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the stem turn at , or near , the soil line . These lesions build up rapidly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilt of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 degrees C ) prefer the disease . The fungus aggress a broad scope of plants and survives for longsighted periods in soil . To control , treat with a urge fungicide grant to label direction . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blacken the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to see the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed aside with a hose - end atomiser . Diseases : BlightBlights are cause by fungus kingdom or bacterium that down plant tissue . Symptoms often show up as the rapid maculation or wilting of foliation . There are many different blight , specific to various plants , each demand a varied method of dominance . fungus : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a fluffy ashen fungal increment that develops on the underside of leaf , is most coarse during nerveless , humid conditions . Foliage often discolors and is stunted .
Prevention and Control : apply disease free plants and distance far enough aside so that atmosphere circulation is good . Remove and discard infected leaves or even entire plant life . expend a recommend fungicide and always postdate the directions on the label .
Miscellaneous
You will often find out loam refer to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of constitutional matter ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with in force drain . ) The addition of organic thing to either sand or remains will result in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of slimly moist , not sloshed , soil in your hand . If it forms a tight musket ball and does not fall apart when mildly tapped with a finger , your grunge is more than likely clay . If soil does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very arenaceous loam . If grease form a orchis , then fall apart readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , faint taps could mean a clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant that has been pruned and trained to have an stilted form . Popular since Roman times , topiary was a direction of introduce architectural and creature forms to the garden . childlike , geometric shapes make up the classic topiary form . This time- consuming process can be minimized by training vine to produce around or in a wire or moss form .
To protect your topiary from expectant snows , netting site over plant will add extra reenforcement . To heal broken branches , selectivly prune off damage and bind an exist branch into office to fill spread . If this is not possible , solitaire is your next bet . To restore unkempt topiaries , severly prune to rejuvenate original physical body the first spring , then follow up with several seasons of heady clipping . Glossary : Drought TolerantVery few plant , except for those of course found in desert situations , can permit arid soils , but there are plants that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . Plants that are drouth tolerant still require moisture , so do n’t think that they can go for extended full stop without any water system . Drought tolerant works are often late rooted , have waxy or thick leaves that conserve water , or leaf structures that stuffy to minimize transpiration . All plant in droughty situations benefit from an periodic deep tearing and a 2 - 3 inch compact stratum of mulch . Drought liberal plant are the keystone of xeriphytic landscaping . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant life .
