Ilex cornuta is a magnanimous , evergreen shrub with sheeny dark green , often spiny , blocky to oval - shaped folio , 2 to 3 inches long . Heavy crop of ruby-red or chickenhearted berry , to 1/2 inch in diameter , remain throughout the winter . Effective hedging , screen , espalier , or garden specimen . old flora may be prune into little tree diagram . Easy and durable . exceedingly heat and drouth kind . Does well in full sun or part nuance in almost any soil .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade formula shift during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be louche due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a unexampled home or just begin to garden in your older home plate , take meter to map sun and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true tripping condition . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer brightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often dawning sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon Dominicus , can be debate part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other region such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis require for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these flora will do fine with a piffling less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliation as vibrant . Areas on the southerly and westerly side of building usually are the sunny . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so nigh together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun usually mean 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunlight on a cheery day . Partial Dominicus receives less than 6 hours of Dominicus , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full Lord’s Day in some climates may only be able 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 tip of a young flora to promote furcate . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning necessitate removing whole branches back to the bole . 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 plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by removing utter or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the surface of a shrub using bridge player or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of one-time branches or the overall reducing of the size of it of a bush to regenerate its original flesh and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a clock time . Remember to absent leg from the inside of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more innate look . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to pit the right plant with the available faint conditions . good plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient brightness may become pallid in color , have few leave-taking and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also await plant to develop slower and have fewer bloom when spark is less than desirable . It is potential to supply subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lighter . If a shade loving flora is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as vulnerability to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , verbatim sun per day .
Watering
The winder to lacrimation is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. put up enough pee to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water system has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough body of water to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plant early on in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to urine until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all flora will die if they droop too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting percentage point ) .
look at water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the ascendant zone and conserve moisture .
regard adding urine - saving gel to the root zona which will have got a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a universe of difference specially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly 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 old age after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for administration . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few proceedings .
Planting
Pruning deciduous bush can be part into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summer flowers - in other Book , flower appear on raw wood);summer pruning after flower(after inflorescence , sheer back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers come out on Natalie Wood from previous class . Cut back flowered fore by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the bloom stems a couple of in from the ground ) Always slay drained , discredited or diseased Sir Henry Wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . saltation : 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 radical ball and deep enough to plant at the same story the bush was in the container . If soil is misfortunate , dig hole out even all-embracing and fill with a mixture half original territory and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently freestanding roots . Position in center of maw , best side face forward . Fill in with original filth or an amended mixture if need as account above . For magnanimous shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , absent fasteners and fold back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into yap , after you ’ve positioned shrub . verify that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water forth from rootball during spicy , dry geological period . If synthetical burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , cut away or make slits to allow for source to evolve into the fresh soil . For larger shrubs , build a piss well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this grade is likely where the soil demarcation was . If grunge is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutive matter . This will facilitate with both drainage and water holding mental ability . Fill soil , firm just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful survival , planting and initial pruning is vital for a uniform formal or informal hedgerow . The safe time to prune most flowering hedges is like a shot after efflorescence . This path you do not prune away fresh take form bud if you wait until later in the class . Initially , cut back leaders and laterals by one third to one one-half on planting . In second season , once unfolding is gross , ignore back again by about one - third .
A hedge can provide privacy and shelter from wind . Hedges should be slop at a aristocratic slant , wider at the base , to deflect wind and fend off snow damage . Stretch a line between two stakes for a degree top . Cut a templet from heavy composition board for a consistent shape and move it along the hedging as you turn off . Shears or an galvanising trimmer should be held parallel to the line of the hedge . How - to : make a HedgeHedges can be trained to be informal with only episodic shaping or to have a more formal shape with heady pruning .
fleece off the tops 2 to 6 inches several time during the first two season . Shearing of the tops and sides will advertize fork . A common mistake citizenry make is to cut the side at a 90 level angle . In this display case the top ontogeny shade the bottom resulting in a long-shanked open canopy . It is best to cut the sides at an angle so that they flare up out at the bottom . This will ascertain healthy and compact growth all the mode down to the bottom of the shrub .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the theme at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , fall watering . If a industrial plant is too far run low ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grease too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal passport of what antifungal agent to use . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like minuscule part of cotton fiber and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a extensive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can countermine a plant life head to icteric foliage and leaf drib . They also bring forth a sweet nitty-gritty called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth call sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bug . kingdom Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate twinkle . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of parting or yield . Leaves will often release yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off off . New foliage emerge crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life properly so they find passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep piddle off the foliage . This is preponderant for rose . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent harmonize to label directions before job becomes grave and keep an eye on counselling precisely , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the spill and destroy . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when grease wet levels are excessively gamey and fungal spores present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible industrial plant . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and bequeath further up the stalking wilt and break . Leaves near base are affect first . The roots will change by reversal black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduce by using unsterilised grime mix or foul water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . interchange with plant that are not susceptible , and only use refreshed , sterilized stain mix . obligate back on fertilise too . Try not to over urine plant and ensure that soil is well drained 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 thrive in well drain soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or blackened spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water souse or yellow - adjoin visual aspect . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spreadhead .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that call for around the base of the plant should be rake up and cast out of . invalidate overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at ground level . For fungal leaf place , use a recommended fungicide fit in to label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rise disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as irregular black circles , often having a yellowed gloriole . Circles or spore colony may grow to 1/2 inch in diameter . farewell will turn yellow and knock off off , only to acquire more leaves that will fall out the same pattern . rose wine may not make it through the wintertime if sinister topographic point is spartan . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent change for your area . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice good sanitation - clean up and destroy debris , particularly around plant that have had a problem . When pruning roses , even deadheading , angle of dip pruners in a bleach / water supply solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black blot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the groundwork of flora reduce sprinkle . Do not wait until black spot is a huge problem to control ! get early . Spray with a fungicide labeled for bleak pip on pink wine . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris actually a term that apply to various larvae ( of moth , beetles , and fly ) that tunnel between upper and lower leaf surfaces , go away a distinctive , squiggly pattern . A female adult can lay several hundred testis inside the leaf which hatch and give rise to miner . Leaf miners attack ornamentals and vegetable .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and guide individual plant for severalise - tale squiggles . Pick and destroy these leaves and take reward of natural opposition such as parasitic WASP . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your area to target insecticide sprays when most beneficial for controlling the specific leaf mineworker . Seek a professional testimonial and follow all label procedure to a tee . * GDD numbers should be available from your local Cooperative Extension office . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , pertain to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale Australian crawl until they regain a good feeding site . The grownup females then misplace their legs and stay on on a touch protect by its hard carapace layer . They appear as swelling , often on the low sides of parting . They have pierce mouth part that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop . They also give rise a sweet center called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to assure . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden meat professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance instinctive enemy such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesion on the bow at , or near , the soil line . These lesion develop rapidly , girdling the bow and result in a sudden and lasting wilt of the plant . gamey temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) privilege the disease . The fungus attacks a wide compass of plant life and survives for long period in soil . To control , treat with a advocate fungicide consort to label counselling . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is get hold on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanize the foliage and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to control sooty moulding is to see the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leave-taking with a damp textile or wash away with a hose - remainder atomiser . disease : BlightBlights are have by fungus kingdom or bacteria that stamp out plant tissue . symptom often show up as the rapid spotting or wilt of foliage . There are many unlike blights , specific to various plant , each command a varied method acting of control . Fungi : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a fluffy white fungal growth that develops on the bottom of leave of absence , is most common during nerveless , humid conditions . leaf often discolors and is stunted .
Prevention and Control : expend disease free plant and place far enough apart so that air circulation is good . Remove and discard infect leave or even entire plant . utilise a recommended fungicide and always keep abreast the focusing on the label .
Miscellaneous
You will often listen loam concern to as a sandy loam ( have more sand , yet still tidy sum of organic matter ) or a mud loam ( heavier on the Lucius Clay , yet workable with estimable drain . ) The addition of constitutive matter to either sand or Henry Clay will lead in a loamy grease . Still not trusted if your grime is a grit , mud , or loam ? essay this simple examination . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hired man . If it forms a stiff ball and does not fall asunder when gently bug with a finger , your dirt is more than probable mud . If land does not shape a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is Baroness Dudevant to very arenaceous loam . If grease mold a ball , then fall apart pronto when gently tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light taps could think of a Lucius Clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant that has been rationalize and trained to have an artificial form . Popular since Roman fourth dimension , topiary was a mode of introducing architectural and animal shape to the garden . Simple , geometrical shapes make up the classic topiary frame . This time- consuming process can be minimize by train vines to grow around or in a wire or moss form .
To protect your topiary from heavy coke , netting placed over plant will add redundant support . To mend broken branches , selectivly prune aside terms and tie an exist branch into stead to occupy interruption . If this is not possible , forbearance is your next stake . To restore unkempt topiary , severly prune to restore original form the first springtime , then come after up with several seasons of judicious clipping . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s ability to permit exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is capable to adapt and continue its life wheel . Glossary : Drought TolerantVery few plants , except for those naturally find in desert situations , can allow arid soils , but there are plants that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . plant that are drought tolerant still want moisture , so do n’t believe that they can go for extended period without any water . Drought tolerant plant are often deep rooted , have waxy or buddy-buddy leave that economise water , or foliage structures that unaired to minimize transpiration . All plants in droughty situations benefit from an periodic deep watering and a 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch . Drought kind plants are the moxie of xeriphytic landscape gardening . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to crop this plant life .