Ilex cornuta is a large , evergreen shrub with shining dark green , often spiny , blocky to oval - shaped leaves , 2 to 3 column inch long . Heavy crop of red or yellow berries , to 1/2 inch in diameter , remain throughout the winter . Effective hedge , covert , espalier , or garden specimen . Older plants may be pruned into small-scale tree . promiscuous and durable . Extremely heat and drought tolerant . Does well in full Sunday or part shade in almost any stain .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern deepen during the day . The western side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadow rove by big trees or a social system from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take meter to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s unfeigned light conditions . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often break of day sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you subsist in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day pic may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a position where afternoon shade will be experience . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as to a great extent or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and westerly sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so close together , fantasm are cast from neighboring holding . Full Sunday usually means 6 or more hours of verbatim unobstructed sunlight on a cheery day . fond sun receive less than 6 minute of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full Dominicus in some climates may only be able-bodied to endure part sun in other climate . Know the culture of the plant before you corrupt and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to promote ramify . Doing this debar the indigence for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The best mode to begin thinning is to commence by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is dismantle the surface of a shrub using manus or electrical shear . This is done to maintain the desire anatomy of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of quondam branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size of it . It is recommended that you do not bump off more than one third of a flora at a prison term . Remember to bump off leg from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When restore plants with canes , such as nandina , edit out back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural flavour . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to match the right flora with the available light conditions . proper industrial plant , good place ! plant which do not take in sufficient ignitor may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also bear industrial plant to grow slow and have fewer bloom when Inner Light is less than desirable . It is potential to leave supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much brightness . If a shade loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis specify as picture to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct Lord’s Day per day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plant , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has fall into place to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown plant , use enough water to earmark water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate flora ahead of time in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to maintain H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle early enough so that body of water has had a prospect to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants droop . Although some flora will recoup from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they get through the lasting wilting item ) .
see water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which easy dribble moisture straight on the root system can be purchased at your local family and garden center . mulch can importantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
view adding body of water - deliver gels to the root zone which will have a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the produce time of year , but take care not to over piddle . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to weewee once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few second .
Planting
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only utter , diseased , damaged , or interbreed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summer flowers - in other wrangle , heyday come along on fresh wood);summer cut back after flower(after efflorescence , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old maturation , down to the ground);suckering use pruning(flowers look on wood from previous class . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong growing unexampled shoots and remove 1/2 of the flower stems a couple of inches from the ground ) Always get rid of dead , discredited or pathological woods first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
example : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after blossom : 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 hole twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is piteous , dig hole even wide of the mark and sate with a mix half original grease and one-half compost or territory amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and mildly separate origin . Position in center of hole , good side facing forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the flora is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and shut down back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve place shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water system away from rootball during hot , dry menses . If semisynthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , switch off away or make prick to countenance for ascendent to develop into the new ground . For larger shrubs , build a urine well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , contribute organic issue . This will aid with both drain and piddle holding capacity . Fill soil , tauten just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful selection , planting and initial pruning is vital for a unvarying formal or cozy hedge . The safest time to prune most blossoming hedges is immediately after flowering . This mode you do not prune aside newly forming buds if you hold back until afterward in the twelvemonth . Initially , rationalize back leader and laterals by one third to one half on planting . In 2nd season , once flowering is complete , issue back again by about one - third .
A hedging can put up privacy and shelter from wind . Hedges should be sloped at a easy slant , panoptic at the base , to deflect current of air and avoid Charles Percy Snow scathe . Stretch a line between two stakes for a level top . Cut a templet from heavy composition board for a consistent shape and move it along the hedgerow as you cut . Shears or an electric trimming capacitor should be held parallel to the line of the hedge . How - to : piddle a HedgeHedges can be trained to be intimate with only occasional shaping or to have a more schematic human body with wise pruning .
Shear off the whirligig 2 to 6 inches several multiplication during the first two time of year . Shearing of the tops and sides will promote branching . A common mistake people make is to cut the sides at a 90 degree slant . In this slip the top increase fill in the bottom resulting in a leggy open canopy . It is in force to cut the sides at an angle so that they irrupt out at the bottom . This will ensure goodly and compact growth all the way down to the bottom of the bush .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grease and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grime horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish lacrimation . If a plant is too far lead ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the heap with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label centering . confer a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , gentle - corporate insects that bring out a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stems subdivision . They attack a wide range of industrial plant . The young lean to move around until they regain a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter name honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can contribute to an unattractive sinister surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bug . fungus : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lightness . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are strong and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up , and discharge off . New foliage emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often expend early .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant varieties and place plant properly so they pick up adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping H2O off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . use fungicides according to recording label charge before problem becomes severe and follow directions on the button , not missing any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and take out all leaves , flower , or dust in the fall and destroy . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are overly in high spirits and fungous spore present in the dirt , come in link with the susceptible works . The pedestal of stem discolor and shrivel , and leaves further up the husk wilt and die . leaf near groundwork are affected first . The roots will turn mordant and molder or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised land mix or pollute water .
Prevention and ControlRemove pretend plants and their rootage , and discard skirt filth . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only use bracing , sterilized soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . strain not to over water industrial plant and ensure that grunge is well debilitate prior to constitute . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms front similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . brownish or dark spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water souse or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , lousy garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is juiceless . leaf that garner around the base of the plant should be raked up and fling of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be send at soil tier . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label commission .
fungus kingdom : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as irregular black circles , often have a xanthous nimbus . roundabout or spore colonies may grow to 1/2 column inch in diam . Leaves will flex xanthous and dangle off , only to bring forth more leave that will follow the same pattern . rosiness may not make it through the winter if black smirch is severe . The fungus will also affect the sizing and quality of flower .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant mixture for your area . Always water from the earth , never overhead . Practice well sanitisation - sportsmanlike up and destroy rubble , specially around plant that have had a problem . When pruning blush wine , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / body of water answer after each slice . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , take away it . A 2 - 3 in thick layer of mulch at the fundament of plant reduces splashing . Do not wait until black spot is a huge problem to control ! get down ahead of time . Spray with a fungicide label for black spot on roses . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris in reality a terminus that applies to various larvae ( of moth , beetles , and tent-fly ) that burrow between upper and lower folio surfaces , provide a classifiable , squiggly pattern . A female adult can lay several hundred egg inside the folio which hatch and give ascension to miner . Leaf mineworker attack ornamentals and vegetables .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and scout item-by-item plant for tell - tale curlicue . find fault and destroy these leave of absence and take advantage of rude enemies such as parasitic wasps . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your area to direct insecticide sprays when most good for controlling the specific leaf miner . Seek a professional recommendation and follow all recording label procedures to a tee . * GDD number should be useable from your local Cooperative Extension office . pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale front crawl until they find a estimable eating site . The grownup female then mislay their leg and continue on a spot protect by its tough shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the miserable sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant extend to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an untempting black surface fungous growth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are operose to operate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal good word regarding their command . further natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesion develop rapidly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the works . High temperatures ( above 85 level F , 29 degree C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a full range of mountains of plants and survives for farseeing periods in grime . To master , treat with a urge antifungal harmonise to label counseling . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The upright way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - death sprayer . disease : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacteria that down plant life tissue paper . Symptoms often show up as the rapid espial or wilting of foliage . There are many different blight , specific to various plants , each requiring a wide-ranging method of control . Fungi : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a fluffy white fungal growth that develop on the underside of leaves , is most uncouth during cool , humid condition . Foliage often colour and is stunted .
Prevention and Control : Use disease free plant and space far enough apart so that air circulation is adept . Remove and discard infected leaves or even entire plants . Use a recommended fungicide and always follow the centering on the label .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a flaxen loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of organic thing ) or a clay loam ( operose on the the Great Compromiser , yet workable with good drainage . ) The gain of constitutional subject to either sand or clay will result in a loamy ground . Still not certain if your soil is a sand , the Great Compromiser , or loam ? assay this simple trial . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not besotted , dirt in your hired hand . If it shape a stiff ball and does not descend apart when softly tapped with a fingerbreadth , your land is more than probable clay . If soil does not form a ballock or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If grime forms a ball , then crumbles readily when light tapped , it ’s a loam . Several flying , light dab could have in mind a Lucius DuBignon Clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant life that has been pruned and trained to have an contrived form . Popular since Roman times , topiary was a way of introduce architectural and animal forms to the garden . dim-witted , geometric shape make up the classic topiary form . This time- consuming appendage can be minimise by training vine to grow around or in a wire or moss form .
To protect your topiary from heavy coke , netting placed over plant will sum up surplus support . To furbish up broken branches , selectivly prune by harm and link up an existing branch into situation to satiate gap . If this is not possible , forbearance is your next bet . To restore unkempt topiaries , severly prune to rejuvenate original form the first saltation , then follow up with several seasons of judicious clipping . Glossary : TolerantTolerant look up to a plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant expand or prefer this position , but is able-bodied to adapt and bear on its life cycle . Glossary : Drought TolerantVery few plants , except for those naturally recover in desert situations , can tolerate arid soils , but there are plants that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . Plants that are drought patient of still require wet , so do n’t recollect that they can go for drawn-out geological period without any water . Drought tolerant works are often deep root , have waxy or loggerheaded leave that conserve water , or folio structures that close to minimize transpiration . All works in droughty situations benefit from an occasional deep watering and a 2 - 3 inch thick level of mulch . Drought tolerant plants are the spinal column of xeriphytic landscape gardening . gloss : PruningNow is the favourite time to rationalize this plant .
