Q: Why are my holly’s (‘Nellie Stevens’) leaves turning yellow and dropping off?

By
●
Ask the Expert
●
January 21, 2013
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Michael Turner, Certified Arborist
HHJ Landscaping Expert
 
 
 A:           Hollies typically loose approximately 1/3 of their leaves in late winter/early spring as new foliage emerges. The leaves will often turn yellow and drop off at an alarming rate as spring nears. This is normal. As long as the new foliage appears healthy and dark-green there is probably no problem.
 
               Another possible cause is chlorosis. This is caused by an iron deficiency. I would first have the soil tested for the pH level. Hollies prefer the pH to be in the 4.5-6.0 range. If the pH is off the plant cannot absorb the iron in the soil, as well as other nutrients. Treat the hollies with a general shrub fertilizer 2-3 times per season using a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. For a quick boost you can incorporate chelated iron into the top layer of soil. Be sure to follow the label instructions. Keep the hollies mulched around the root zone and water as needed and you should have a happy, healthy holly.

 
Michael Turner is a Certified Arborist, a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional and a Certified Irrigation Contractor. He is the owner of Heart of Georgia Landscaping, a fully licensed and insured landscaping company serving Middle Georgia. Heart of Georgia Landscaping promises excellence from the ground up: quality work, on-time and on-budget installations,

ethical and honest business practices, and fair pricing. All of Heart of Georgia Landscaping permanent employees are Georgia Certified Landscape Professionals as certified by the Georgia Green Industry Association. From the first

meeting to the final inspection, they work to earn your trust and

respect. Learn more and see photo galleries of their work at www.HOGLandscaping.com


HHJ News

Before you go...

Thanks for reading The Houston Home Journal — we hope this article added to your day.

 

For over 150 years, Houston Home Journal has been the newspaper of record for Perry, Warner Robins and Centerville. We're excited to expand our online news coverage, while maintaining our twice-weekly print newspaper.

 

If you like what you see, please consider becoming a member of The Houston Home Journal. We're all in this together, working for a better Warner Robins, Perry and Centerville, and we appreciate and need your support.

 

Please join the readers like you who help make community journalism possible by joining The Houston Home Journal. Thank you.

 

- Brieanna Smith, Houston Home Journal managing editor

Paid Posts


Author
HHJ News
Related Articles
Q: We are painting the exterior of our home, do you have tips for painting on a chalky surface?
By
●
Ask the Expert
●
May 1, 2013
Q: Is it true that squeezing limes on hydrangeas will change the color?
By
●
Ask the Expert
●
April 9, 2013
Q: When hosting a party and offering a bar for my guests, what are the basic liquors and ingredients I should stock my bar with?
By
●
Ask the Expert
●
March 26, 2013
Sovrn Pixel