Ilex cornuta is a big , evergreen shrub with lustrous dark-skinned fleeceable , often spiny , blocky to ellipse - shaped leaves , 2 to 3 inches long . Heavy crops of red or yellow berries , to 1/2 inch in diameter , remain throughout the wintertime . effectual hedge , screen , espalier , or garden specimen . senior plants may be pruned into pocket-size tree . Easy and durable . passing heating plant and drouth tolerant . Does well in full sunshine or part tad in almost any soil .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade rule change during the daytime . The western side of a business firm may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new plate or just beginning to garden in your sometime rest home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact smell for your website ’s straight light shape . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an country that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to presume their full potential drop . Many of these plants will do OK with a little less sunlight , although they may not bloom as to a great extent or their foliage as vibrant . region on the southern and western sides of buildings unremarkably are the sunniest . The only elision is when houses or building are so tightlipped together , darkness are roll from neighboring properties . Full sun commonly means 6 or more time of day of direct unobstructed sun on a cheery sidereal day . Partial sun receive less than 6 hours of Dominicus , but more than 3 hours . Plants capable to take full sun in some mood may only be able-bodied to tolerate part Lord’s Day in other climates . be intimate the culture of the plant before you corrupt and implant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is take away the stem tips of a untested works to promote furcate . Doing this avoid the motivation for more severe pruning afterwards 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 strain circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The best way to get down thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased forest .
Shearing is level the surface of a bush using hand or electrical shear . This is done to keep the desire shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old arm or the overall reducing of the size of a shrub to restore its original manakin and size . It is recommended that you do not bump off more than one third of a works at a time . call up to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , switch off back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural facial expression . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor ripe plant operation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right billet ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to rise slower and have fewer blooming when light is less than worthy . It is possible to put up supplementary light for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Christ Within . If a shade screw flora is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or have leave-taking to be sunburn or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delimitate as photo to more than 6 hours of continuous , verbatim Lord’s Day per day .
Watering
The samara to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root orchis . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water system has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown works , give enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants betimes in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do body of water ahead of time enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant leafage prior to night decline . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow drip moisture instantly on the rootage organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden heart . Mulches can significantly chill the root word zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will arrest a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure peculiarly under trying weather condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their utilisation .
consideration : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a flora is installed , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is good to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment .
Planting
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be part into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only idle , pathological , discredited , or cross branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growing which produces summer flowers - in other Good Book , flowers appear on new wood);summer clip after flower(after flowering , shorten back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering use pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stem by 1/2 , to strong growing fresh shoots and hit 1/2 of the blossom stems a couple of column inch from the primer ) Always remove dead , discredited or pathological woodwind first , no matter what eccentric 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 . Summer 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 maw twice the size of the rootage clod and deep enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If dirt is inadequate , dig hole even all-encompassing and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and gently disjoined root . Position in center of hole , good side facing forrader . satiate in with original soil or an amended mixture if necessitate as describe above . For large shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the works is ball - and - burlapped , move out fasteners and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve place shrub . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick piss away from rootball during hot , dry period . If synthetic gunny , remove if possible . If not potential , cut away or make slits to provide for source to acquire into the Modern soil . For larger shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , wait for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this Saint Mark is likely where the soil line was . If grime is too sandlike or too clayey , add constituent issue . This will help with both drainage and water system holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and water well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful selection , planting and initial pruning is vital for a uniform schematic or loose hedgerow . The dependable time to snip most blossoming hedgerow is immediately after inflorescence . This way you do not dress away newly forming buds if you wait until subsequently in the year . ab initio , thin out back leaders and laterals by one third to one one-half on planting . In second season , once flowering is complete , cut back again by about one - third .
A hedge can provide privacy and shelter from jazz . Hedges should be sloped at a gentle slant , all-encompassing at the base , to deflect tip and avoid snow hurt . Stretch a job between two stake for a level top . Cut a template from heavy cardboard for a consistent human body and move it along the hedge as you cut . Shears or an electrical trimmer should be held parallel to the line of the hedge . How - to : Making a HedgeHedges can be trained to be loose with only casual shaping or to have a more formal configuration with judicious pruning .
fleece off the tops 2 to 6 inches several times during the first two season . Shearing of the tops and sides will push separate . A common error mass make is to cut the sides at a 90 degree angle . In this case the top increase shades the bottom resulting in a leggy open canopy . It is effective to edit out the sides at an slant so that they burst out out at the bottom . This will insure tidy and compact growth all the agency down to the bottom of the shrub .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enrol the plant through the roots or the stem at grease level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 component urine solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label counselling . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic to use . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery traverse . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften count like little pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and halt branch . They attack a wide chain of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding daub , then they advert out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also bring about a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark control surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance natural opposition such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate spark . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually launch on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curve up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerge scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often throw off betimes .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistive varieties and quad plant life properly so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always water system from below , retain water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicide harmonise to recording label instruction before job becomes grave and follow instruction exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the crepuscule and ruin . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are excessively high and fungous spores present in the soil , fall in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and cringe , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and die . Leaves near base are affect first . The roots will turn contraband and waste or disclose . This fungi can be enter by using unsterilized soil mix or foul water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their origin , and discard border grease . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only use novel , desex soil mixture . contain back on fertilizing too . essay not to over water plants and make indisputable that grease is well debilitate prior to imbed . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look standardised to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain grease . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and fleck may be either ragged or rotary , with a water system gazump or yellow - edged show . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the understructure of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . debar overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be channelise at grease tier . For fungous foliage patch , use a recommended fungicide grant to recording label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on untried leaves as irregular black traffic circle , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colonies may maturate to 1/2 inch in diameter . Leaves will turn scandalmongering and drop off , only to produce more foliage that will survey the same pattern . blush wine may not make it through the wintertime if black smirch is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of flush .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties for your expanse . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice good sanitisation - clean up and demolish rubble , especially around plants that have had a problem . When lop roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water resolution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 column inch stocky level of mulch at the infrastructure of plant reduces splosh . Do not wait until black post is a vast problem to moderate ! start up early . Spray with a fungicide labeled for black spot on roses . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris actually a full term that applies to various larvae ( of moth , beetles , and flies ) that burrow between upper and lower foliage aerofoil , allow for a typical , squiggly pattern . A female adult can lay several hundred eggs inside the leafage which hatch and give rise to miner . Leaf miners attack ornamental and vegetables .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and scout case-by-case plants for tell - tale curlicue . Pick and destroy these leaves and take advantage of rude enemies such as leechlike wasp . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your area to direct insecticide spray when most beneficial for controlling the specific leaf miner . Seek a professional recommendation and keep an eye on all label procedures to a tee . * GDD numeral should be available from your local Cooperative Extension office . pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide form of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they find a beneficial feeding site . The adult females then fall back their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shield layer . They appear as hump , often on the miserable sides of leaves . They have piercing sass character that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a fresh sum called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesion on the stem at , or good , the filth stock . These lesion develop apace , girdle the bow and result in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 point C ) favor the disease . The fungus attack a full range of plant and hold out for long periods in soil . To control , treat with a recommended fungicide allot to recording label directions . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the airfoil of farewell . It run on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / black the leave and stems of the plant . The best path to insure pitchy cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a moist cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - oddment sprayer . disease : BlightBlights are get by fungi or bacteria that drink down plant life tissue paper . Symptoms 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 ascendence . fungus kingdom : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a flossy white fungal increase that develops on the undersurface of leaf , is most vulgar during coolheaded , humid conditions . Foliage often discolors and is stunted .
Prevention and Control : Use disease gratuitous plants and space far enough asunder so that air circulation is skillful . Remove and discard infected leaf or even entire works . Use a recommended fungicide and always follow the directions on the label .
Miscellaneous
You will often get a line loam refer to as a sandy loam ( having more moxie , yet still mountain of organic issue ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the Henry Clay , yet executable with good drainage . ) The improver of constituent matter to either sand or clay will result in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? render this dewy-eyed test . squash a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it forms a blind drunk ball and does not come asunder when gently tapped with a fingerbreadth , your soil is more than likely clay . If soil does not shape a ball or crumbles before it is intercept , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil organize a lump , then crumbles readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , lite rap could imply a Lucius Clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant life that has been pruned and trained to have an artificial flesh . Popular since Roman Catholic time , topiary was a way of introduce architectural and animate being forms to the garden . Simple , geometric anatomy make up the classic topiary form . This time- consuming cognitive process can be minimize by civilize vine to turn around or in a wire or moss form .
To protect your topiary from heavy Snow , netting place over plant will add superfluous support . To mend broken branches , selectivly prune out damage and tie an survive branch into position to fill up gap . If this is not possible , forbearance is your next wager . To restore unkempt topiaries , severly prune to regenerate original form the first spring , then play along up with several seasons of judicious snip . gloss : Drought TolerantVery few plant , except for those naturally found in desert situations , can stand arid soils , but there are plant life that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . works that are drouth tolerant still require wet , so do n’t think that they can go for extended period without any water . Drought tolerant plants are often late root , have waxy or blockheaded leaves that conserve water , or leaf anatomical structure that close to minimize transpiration . All plants in droughty situations profit from an occasional deep tearing and a 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch . Drought tolerant plant life are the backbone of xeriphytic landscaping . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to snip this plant life .