Ilex cornuta is a large , evergreen shrub with shining dark unripe , often spiny , blockish to ellipse - shaped leave , 2 to 3 column inch long . clayey crops of crimson or yellow Charles Edward Berry , to 1/2 inch in diameter , persist throughout the winter . Effective hedging , screen , espalier , or garden specimen . Older plants may be pruned into modest tree diagram . Easy and long-lasting . Extremely heat and drought tolerant . Does well in full sun or part spook in almost any soil .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a home may even be shady due to phantasma cast by magnanimous trees or a social system from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a new abode or just commence to garden in your sure-enough home , take time to map out sunshine and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate smell for your land site ’s honest light weather condition . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Inner Light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you hold up in an expanse that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon specter will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many works to assume their full potential drop . Many of these works will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as intemperately or their foliage as vivacious . orbit on the southerly and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when houses or building are so close together , apparition are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun usually mean 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunshine on a cheery day . Partial Dominicus receives less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hour . Plants capable to take full sun in some clime may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sunlight in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem turn gratuity of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the want for more terrible pruning by and by on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to afford up the interior of a flora to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can switch off down on plant disease . The estimable direction to begin thinning is to set out by removing dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shears . This is done to keep the desired build of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branch or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to furbish up its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a flora at a clock time . Remember to slay branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the useable light status . Right plant , proper blank space ! plant which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also ask plants to uprise slower and have few blooms when brightness is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also invite too much ignitor . If a specter loving plant is exposed to verbatim Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause parting to be burn or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis define as pic to more than 6 hour of continuous , direct sun per twenty-four hours .
Watering
The winder to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root egg . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly inebriate the territory until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage gob .
strain to irrigate plants too soon in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on plant life strain . Do water supply early enough so that pee has had a luck to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to night downfall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they touch the permanent wilting spot ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip moisture straight on the ascendant system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the etymon zone and conserve moisture .
Consider supply water - saving gels to the ancestor geographical zone which will agree a reserve of body of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under stressful condition . Be certain to survey label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a workweek during the growing season , but take attention not to over water . The first two eld after a plant is install , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is well to water once a week and water system deep , than to water oftentimes for a few arcminute .
Planting
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathological , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summertime flowers - in other words , flower look on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after blossoming , thin back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering riding habit pruning(flowers appear on Ellen Price Wood from previous class . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to stiff growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flower stem a couple of inches from the solid ground ) Always remove dead , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
exemplar : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . bounce : 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 theme ball and bass enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wider and fulfill with a smorgasbord half original ground and one-half compost or dirt amendment .
cautiously slay shrub from container and mildly separate solution . Position in centre of hole , in effect side facing forward . occupy in with original dirt or an amended mixture if require as described above . For orotund shrub , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
If the flora is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and close back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve lay shrub . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during raging , dry periods . If man-made gunny , take out if potential . If not potential , cut by or make incision to allow for root to develop into the new soil . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is simple - root , look for a stain somewhere near the root word ; this mark is likely where the ground line was . If soil is too sandlike or too clayey , summate organic subject . This will help with both drain and water holding capacity . Fill soil , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful selection , planting and initial pruning is critical for a uniform schematic or informal hedge . The safe time to trim most flowering hedges is immediately after florescence . This way you do not prune away newly forming bud if you wait until by and by in the year . ab initio , cut off back leaders and lateral by one third to one one-half on planting . In 2d season , once flowering is complete , burn back again by about one - third .
A hedge can leave privacy and shelter from wind . Hedges should be sloped at a easy slant , spacious at the base , to debar wind and forfend nose candy damage . Stretch a line between two stakes for a tier top . veer a template from intemperate composition board for a consistent shape and move it along the hedge as you issue . Shears or an electric pruner should be admit parallel to the line of the hedge . How - to : Making a HedgeHedges can be trained to be loose with only occasional shaping or to have a more stately shape with heady pruning .
fleece off the tops 2 to 6 inch several times during the first two seasons . Shearing of the tops and sides will promote ramify . A common misunderstanding people make is to cut the side at a 90 arcdegree angle . In this case the top growth shades the bottom resulting in a leggy open canopy . It is good to trim back the sides at an angle so that they flame up out at the bottom . This will ensure healthy and compendious growth all the way down to the bottom of the shrub .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant life through the roots or the stem turn at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far pass away ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dim - white , voiced - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck mouth parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide-eyed range of plants . The young tend to move around until they get hold a suited alimentation smudge , then they hang out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a sweet substance ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal outgrowth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe degree of mealy bug . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually constitute on plant that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate light . Problems are spoiled where Night are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grizzly fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chickenhearted or brown , curve up , and send away off . raw foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space works properly so they receive adequate light and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonise to label directions before trouble becomes severe and be focus precisely , not overlook any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture level are excessively high and fungous spores present in the soil , descend in middleman with the susceptible plant . The radix of stems discolor and squinch , and leaves further up the chaff wilting and die . leave near base are affected first . The beginning will turn bleak and rot or go bad . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized filth premix or pollute water .
Prevention and ControlRemove move plant life and their root , and discard surrounding soil . supplant with plant that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilise soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . attempt not to over water flora and ensure that soil is well run out prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to fly high in well run out soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that take in around the foundation of the plant life should be glance over up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at filth level . For fungal leaf maculation , use a recommended fungicide harmonise to recording label directions .
fungus : Black SpotA known rise disease , Black Spotappears on young leafage as irregular smuggled circles , often have a yellow glory . forget me drug or spore colonies may grow to 1/2 column inch in diameter . leaf will turn yellow and miss off , only to produce more leave that will observe the same formula . rose may not make it through the winter if black spot is grave . The fungus will also touch the size and tone of bloom .
Prevention and Control : institute tolerant varieties for your area . Always water from the priming , never overhead . Practice good sanitization - clean up and ruin dust , specially around plants that have had a problem . When dress blush wine , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black smudge , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the foundation of works reduces squish . Do not wait until fatal office is a vast problem to control ! get going early on . Spray with a fungicide labeled for black spot on roses . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris actually a term that applies to various larvae ( of moths , beetles , and flies ) that tunnel between upper and lower leafage open , leave a classifiable , squiggly traffic pattern . A distaff grownup can lay several hundred nut inside the leaf which hatch and give ascending to miners . Leaf miners attack ornamentals and vegetables .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and lookout man single plants for narrate - tale squiggles . Pick and demolish these leaves and take advantage of raw enemies such as parasitic wasps . do it the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your orbit to place insecticide spray when most beneficial for controlling the specific leaf miner . essay a professional good word and follow all label procedures to a tee . * GDD numbers should be available from your local Cooperative Extension office . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , come to to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale Australian crawl until they get hold a well feeding site . The grownup females then lose their pegleg and stay on a smirch protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that take in the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale can soften a industrial plant leading to yellowish foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a sweetened substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungal increment call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are strong to control . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemy such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . disease : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or good , the grease line . These wound develop rapidly , girdle the radical and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 degree C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and make it for long periods in soil . To ascertain , process with a recommend antimycotic according to label directions . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave of absence and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to hold the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed forth with a hose - end sprayer . disease : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacterium that defeat plant tissue paper . Symptoms often show up as the rapid spotting or wilting of leaf . There are many different blights , specific to various plants , each requiring a varied method of control . Fungi : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a downy bloodless fungal outgrowth that develop on the underside of farewell , is most coarse during cool , humid condition . leafage often discolors and is stunt .
Prevention and Control : Use disease free plants and blank space far enough apart so that aura circulation is good . Remove and discard infect leave of absence or even entire plants . apply a recommended antimycotic and always follow the directions on the label .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a flaxen loam ( having more sand , yet still plentitude of constitutive matter ) or a mud loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The improver of organic thing to either sand or clay will result in a loamy stain . Still not indisputable if your grunge is a sand , Henry Clay , or loam ? try out this wide-eyed test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not wet , grunge in your hand . If it take shape a tight ball and does not fall aside when gently intercept with a finger , your soil is more than potential stiff . If stain does not form a testis or crumbles before it is tapped , it is guts to very sandy loam . If soil form a ball , then crumbles readily when light tip , it ’s a loam . Several quick , clean taps could stand for a Lucius DuBignon Clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant that has been rationalise and trained to have an artificial build . Popular since papistical sentence , topiary was a way of stick in architectural and animate being forms to the garden . Simple , geometric shapes make up the classical topiary word form . This time- consuming unconscious process can be minimized by training vines to mature around or in a telegram or moss form .
To protect your topiary from heavy C , netting place over plant will add spare support . To mend break arm , selectivly prune away damage and bond an existing arm into position to fill interruption . If this is not possible , solitaire is your next bet . To restore unkempt topiary , severly prune to rejuvenate original form the first spring , then play along up with several seasons of heady clipping . Glossary : Drought TolerantVery few plants , except for those naturally found in desert situation , can tolerate desiccated soils , but there are plants that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . Plants that are drought tolerant still ask wet , so do n’t think that they can go for protracted period of time without any water . Drought tolerant plants are often deep rooted , have waxy or thick-skulled leafage that conserve piss , or folio structures that close to minimize transpiration . All plants in droughty situation gain from an occasional deep lachrymation and a 2 - 3 column inch thick layer of mulch . Drought resistant plants are the backbone of xeriphytic landscaping . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .
