Ilex cornuta is a large , evergreen plant shrub with glistening sour unripe , often spiny , blockish to oval - shaped leave , 2 to 3 inches long . Heavy crop of carmine berries , to 1/2 inch in diameter , remain throughout the winter . Effective hedge , screen , espalier , or garden specimen . sometime plants may be lop into minuscule tree . Easy and durable . Extremely passion and drought resistant . Does well in full sun or part wraith in almost any soil .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and nicety pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows contrive by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled family or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and spook throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s true light conditions . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morn sun , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you live on in an orbit that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shadiness will be receive . stipulation : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to get into their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sun , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and westerly English of buildings unremarkably are the cheery . The only elision is when houses or buildings are so close-fitting together , shadows are be sick from neighboring properties . Full sun unremarkably mean 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunshine on a cheery day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hour of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full Sunday in some climate may only be capable to tolerate part Lord’s Day in other climates . make love the refinement of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young works to promote branching . 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 interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The near way to lead off thinning is to begin by hit numb or diseased Natalie Wood .
Shearing is charge the aerofoil of a shrub using manus or electric shears . This is done to hold the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old branch or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to doctor its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When regenerate plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant life will have a more natural aspect . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant execution , it is desirable to match the right industrial plant with the available swooning conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible light may become pale in coloring material , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow tiresome and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor works with lamp . plant life can also obtain too much light . If a shade have intercourse plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . term : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per daytime .
Watering
The keystone to watering is urine deep and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , pee well , i.e. put up enough water to good impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being beneficial ) . With container grown plants , give enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
judge to water plants early in the 24-hour interval or later in the afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that water has had a probability to dry out from works leaves prior to night crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plants wilt . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plants will go if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting spot ) .
count water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the tooth root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider supply water - salvage colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sealed to follow label direction for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions demand . Most flora like 1 inch of water system a hebdomad during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two years after a plant is put in , regular watering is significant for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to piss once a week and body of water deeply , than to water supply frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 grouping : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only numb , pathologic , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in former spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , fresh growing which produces summer flowers - in other run-in , flowers appear on raw wood);summer dress after flower(after inflorescence , switch off back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers look on Ellen Price Wood from previous year . Cut back flower stems by 1/2 , to substantial growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stem a distich of in from the background ) Always remove all in , damaged or diseased forest first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . springtime : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after flower : 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 stage the shrub was in the container . If soil is hapless , dig hole even wider and replete with a mixture half original grease and one-half compost or grunge amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and softly freestanding base . Position in center of hole , best side face forward . Fill in with original soil or an amend mixture if needed as discover above . For larger shrubs , build a body of water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and turn up back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve lay bush . Make certain that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water system away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not potential , cut off or make slits to earmark for antecedent to develop into the new ground . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the floor ; this mark is probable where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , summate organic matter . This will facilitate with both drainage and water holding content . Fill soil , firm just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and irrigate well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful selection , planting and initial pruning is critical for a uniform formal or informal hedgerow . The safe time to prune most anthesis hedges is right away after flowering . This way you do not lop away freshly form bud if you wait until subsequently in the year . Initially , cut back loss leader and laterals by one third to one half on planting . In second time of year , once flowering is complete , cut back again by about one - third .
A hedge can render privacy and shelter from wind . Hedges should be slop at a gentle slant , wider at the base , to deflect wind and avoid snow hurt . Stretch a line between two stakes for a level top . Cut a guide from ponderous cardboard for a coherent shape and move it along the hedgerow as you cut . Shears or an electric trimmer should be check parallel to the bloodline of the hedge . How - to : Making a HedgeHedges can be trained to be informal with only occasional shaping or to have a more formal shape with heady pruning .
fleece off the tops 2 to 6 column inch several times during the first two seasons . Shearing of the top and side will promote ramify . A common error hoi polloi make is to ignore the side at a 90 degree angle . In this case the top growth shades the bottom result in a leggy clear canopy . It is best to contract the side at an angle so that they erupt out at the bottom . This will ensure respectable and compact emergence all the way down to the bottom of the bush .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most territory and come in the works through the solution or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label counseling . confab a professional person for a legal good word of what antifungal to use . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / go down on mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften calculate like little piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a panoptic range of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they chance a suitable eating spot , then they flow out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bugs . fungus kingdom : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually chance on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or decent brightness level . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often sour chickenhearted or chocolate-brown , curl up , and shake off off . New foliage come forth wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants right so they meet adequate luminosity and melody circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the N plant food . Apply antifungal according to recording label guidance before problem becomes hard and conform to directions precisely , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - pick up and polish off all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destruct . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are excessively high and fungous spore present in the soil , come in link with the susceptible works . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and pull up stakes further up the stalk wilt and expire . Leaves near al-Qaeda are affect first . The ascendent will turn blackened and moulder or break . This fungus kingdom can be put in by using unsterilised ground mix or contaminated weewee .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plant and their roots , and discard surround land . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , unsex soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . render not to over water supply plants and ensure that soil is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look standardised to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to fly high in well drained grunge . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or ignominious spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , foul garden putz , or even people can aid its spreading .
Prevention and Control : take infected leaf when the plant life is dry . Leaves that roll up around the basis of the plant should be raked up and cast out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf smudge , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA know rise disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as irregular bleak circles , often have a jaundiced doughnut . Circles or spore colonies may develop to 1/2 in in diam . foliage will turn yellow and drop off , only to bring on more leaves that will follow the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black spot is severe . The fungus will also touch the size and timbre of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties for your domain . Always water from the basis , never overhead . Practice well sanitisation - clean up and put down debris , specially around plant that have had a problem . When pruning pink wine , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water system solution after each cut . If a industrial plant seems to have chronic black spot , get rid of it . A 2 - 3 inch chummy layer of mulch at the base of plant reduce splashing . Do not wait until blackened spot is a immense job to control ! embark on ahead of time . Spray with a antimycotic agent labeled for black blot on rosebush . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris actually a term that applies to various larva ( of moth , beetles , and flies ) that burrow between upper and lower leafage open , provide a distinctive , squiggly pattern . A female grownup can position several hundred eggs inside the leafage which hachure and give boost to miner . leafage miners onset ornamentals and vegetables .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and scout individual plants for assure - tale squiggles . clean and destroy these parting and take advantage of innate enemies such as parasitic wasps . hump the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your surface area to target insecticide sprays when most good for controlling the specific leaf miner . assay a professional recommendation and follow all label procedures to a football tee . * GDD numbers should be available from your local Cooperative Extension office . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-embracing assortment of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new scales crawl until they feel a practiced feeding site . The grownup females then lose their branch and stay on a spot protected by its heavy casing stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled open fungous ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the root at , or penny-pinching , the territory line of credit . These lesions develop rapidly , girdling the base and result in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 degree C ) favor the disease . The fungus set on a wide range of plants and survives for long periods in dirt . To control , treat with a recommended antimycotic agent according to label counselling . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cross / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The estimable path to command sooty mold is to command the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - end sprayer . Diseases : BlightBlights are have by fungi or bacteria that bolt down plant life tissue paper . symptom often show up as the rapid spotting or wilt of foliage . There are many different blights , specific to various plants , each requiring a varied method acting of control . fungus : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a fluffy white-hot fungous increase that develop on the underside of leaves , is most rough-cut during cool , humid condition . Foliage often discolors and is stunt .
Prevention and Control : utilise disease detached plants and space far enough apart so that air circulation is skilful . Remove and discard infect leaf or even entire plant . Use a urge antifungal and always comply the instruction on the recording label .
Miscellaneous
You will often get word loam referred to as a arenaceous loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of organic matter ) or a remains loam ( heavier on the remains , yet workable with undecomposed drain . ) The addition of constitutive matter to either grit or clay will result in a loamy grime . Still not certain if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this unproblematic test . Squeeze a handfull of more or less moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it shape a tight bollock and does not fall apart when mildly tapped with a finger , your stain is more than likely Lucius DuBignon Clay . If stain does not form a testicle or crumbles before it is tapped , it is George Sand to very flaxen loam . If territory forms a egg , then break down readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several fast , unclouded taps could mean a clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant that has been cut back and trained to have an artificial form . Popular since popish times , topiary was a style of introducing architectural and brute forms to the garden . bare , geometric shapes make up the classic topiary form . This time- consuming process can be minimize by training vines to originate around or in a wire or moss word form .
To protect your topiary from heavy snows , netting placed over plant will bring extra backup . To bushel broken branch , selectivly prune away legal injury and bind an existing branch into position to fill gap . If this is not possible , patience is your next bet . To restore unkempt topiary , severly prune to restore original shape the first spring , then follow up with several season of heady clipping . Glossary : Drought TolerantVery few plants , except for those naturally found in desert situations , can tolerate arid soils , but there are works that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . plant that are drouth resistant still require moisture , so do n’t think that they can go for extensive menstruation without any urine . Drought tolerant plants are often late rooted , have waxy or thick leave that conserve water , or leaf body structure that near to minimize transpiration . All plants in droughty site benefit from an episodic deep watering and a 2 - 3 column inch thickset layer of mulch . Drought tolerant plants are the backbone of xeriphytic landscaping . gloss : PruningNow is the favored time to cut back this industrial plant .