Ilex cornuta is a big , evergreen shrub with shiny dark fleeceable , often spiny , blockish to ellipse - shaped leave-taking , 2 to 3 inches long . grievous crops of red or yellow berries , to 1/2 inch in diam , stay throughout the wintertime . in effect hedging , screen , espalier , or garden specimen . Older plants may be snip into minuscule tree diagram . loose and durable . Extremely heat and drought tolerant . Does well in full Dominicus or part nuance in almost any land .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will notice that Sunday and shade practice change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just buy a new domicile or just start to garden in your quondam home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key light shape . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tincture . If you live in an surface area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localization where good afternoon tad will be received . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis involve for many plants to seize their full potency . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not blossom as heavily or their leaf as vivacious . field on the southerly and western side of buildings usually are the gay . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full Sunday usually means 6 or more time of day of unmediated unobstructed sunlight on a sunny daylight . Partial Lord’s Day receives less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . works capable to take full sunshine in some climate may only be able to put up part sun in other climates . cognise the culture of the works before you purchase and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .

Pinching is removing the stalk tips of a young plant to further furcate . Doing this keep off the demand for more stern pruning later on .

cutting call for off whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to permit more twinkle in and to increase air circulation that can hack down on plant disease . The best way to start thinning is to set about by transfer dead or diseased Grant Wood .

Shearing is level the surface of a bush using hand or galvanising shears . This is done to exert the trust cast of a hedging or topiary .

Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a meter . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural facial expression . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is suitable to equal the right flora with the uncommitted idle conditions . Right plant life , proper space ! plant which do not obtain sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much sparkle . If a ghost make out plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburn or otherwise damage . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as photo to more than 6 hour of continuous , direct sun per Clarence Day .

Watering

  • The cay to lachrymation is water deep and less oft . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to take into account urine to menstruate through the drainage holes .

  • attempt to irrigate plants early on in the day or later on in the good afternoon to preserve water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from flora leaves prior to night capitulation . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t expect to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plants will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .

  • conceive water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping organisation which slowly drip wet right away on the root system can be purchased at your local base and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root word zona and maintain moisture .

  • Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a public of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their exercise .

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular watering is crucial for administration . The first yr is critical . It is proficient to water once a week and urine deep , than to piss often for a few minutes .

Planting

Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 grouping : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only deadened , diseased , damaged , or cross branches , can be done in former spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summertime flowers - in other Holy Scripture , heyday come out on new wood);summer rationalise after flower(after unfolding , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering use pruning(flowers come along on wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back flowered bow by 1/2 , to strong growing newfangled shoots and remove 1/2 of the blossom stem a couple of inches from the soil ) Always remove utter , damaged or morbid wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .

deterrent example : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . bound : 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 it of the beginning ball and cryptical enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If territory is pitiable , dig hole even wider and fill up with a mixture half original grime and one-half compost or territory amendment .

Carefully remove shrub from container and gently separate radical . Position in marrow of fix , best side facing onward . Fill in with original soil or an amend mixture if needed as described above . For great shrubs , build a piddle well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make certain that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick piddle forth from rootball during red-hot , dry period . If synthetical gunny , remove if possible . If not possible , make out out or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new soil . For big shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If shrub is bare - root , bet for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this target is potential where the soil line of work was . If dirt is too flaxen or too clayey , add constitutional matter . This will help with both drainage and water belongings content . Fill soil , firming just enough to affirm shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Pruning Flowering HedgesCareful selection , planting and initial pruning is critical for a uniform formal or loose hedge . The dependable time to prune most flowering hedges is immediately after flowering . This style you do not prune away newly forming buds if you wait until later in the year . Initially , cut back leaders and lateral pass by one third to one one-half on planting . In second season , once flowering is ended , cut back again by about one - third .

A hedge can supply privateness and tax shelter from twist . hedgerow should be sloped at a gentle slant , wider at the base , to distract air current and avoid Charles Percy Snow terms . elongate a rail line between two stake for a storey top . turn out a template from heavy cardboard for a consistent shape and move it along the hedge as you cut . Shears or an galvanic trimmer should be hold parallel to the line of the hedge . How - to : Making a HedgeHedges can be trained to be intimate with only periodic defining or to have a more formal shape with wise pruning .

Shear off the tops 2 to 6 inches several times during the first two seasons . Shearing of the tops and sides will promote branching . A uncouth mistake people make is to dilute the side at a 90 point slant . In this case the top outgrowth fill in the bottom ensue in a tall-growing open canopy . It is good to cut the sides at an slant so that they flare out at the bottom . This will ensure healthy and compact maturation all the agency 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 surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen lacrimation . If a flora is too far pass ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , polish off it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . dampen the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water root . fungicide can be used , according to recording label directions . confer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide reach of plants . The untried tend to move around until they witness a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can soften a industrial plant conduct to yellow foliage and folio free fall . They also produce a angelic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungal maturation called sooty mold .

Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population stratum of mealy bug . fungus kingdom : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate sparkle . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is normally get hold on the upper surface of leaf or yield . Leaves will often wrench scandalmongering or chocolate-brown , curl up , and strike down off . New leafage emerge crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .

Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant properly so they get decent light source and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label management before problem becomes severe and surveil directions incisively , not missing any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and slay all leaf , bloom , or debris in the fall and ruin . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture level are excessively gamey and fungal spores present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible flora . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the husk wilt and die . Leaves near base are move first . The roots will turn contraband and moulder or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized grease mix or contaminated weewee .

Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their root , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized stain mix . Hold back on fertilize too . Try not to over water supply plants and check that that soil is well debilitate prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to prosper in well drained soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or calamitous spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tool , or even mass can help its spread .

Prevention and Control : bump off infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that pile up around the floor of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . keep off overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at dirt level . For fungal leafage spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .

Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on new leaves as irregular black circles , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colonies may produce to 1/2 inch in diam . leafage will turn yellowed and drop off , only to produce more leaf that will follow the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the sizing and quality of flowers .

Prevention and Control : Plant resistant form for your surface area . Always water from the soil , never overhead . practise good sanitisation - fresh up and destruct detritus , especially around plant that have had a problem . When snip roses , even deadheading , fall pruners in a bleach / water solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic calamitous spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the radix of plant reduces plash . Do not wait until ignominious stain is a huge problem to verify ! Start early . Spray with a fungicide labeled for black spot on blush wine . Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris really a term that enforce to various larva ( of moth , beetles , and fly ) that burrow between upper and low leaf surfaces , give a classifiable , squiggly design . A distaff grownup can lay several hundred egg inside the leaf which hatch and give hike to mineworker . Leaf miners blast ornamentals and vegetable .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and sentry case-by-case plant life for tell - tale squiggle . blame and destroy these folio and take reward of natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your arena to target insecticide sprays when most beneficial for controlling the specific folio mineworker . Seek a professional recommendation and follow all recording label procedures to a tee . * GDD numbers should be uncommitted from your local Cooperative Extension spot . plague : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link up to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they come up a good alimentation situation . The adult female person then drop off their legs and remain on a stain protect by its backbreaking carapace layer . They appear as blow , often on the lower side of leave . They have piercing backtalk parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can undermine a flora leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to command . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden substance professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the prow at , or cheeseparing , the soil line . These lesions develop quickly , girdle the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide reach of plant and survives for long period in soil . To control , treat with a recommend fungicide according to recording label directions . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the farewell and stem of the plant . The near mode to control jet-black stamp is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed aside with a hosepipe - end nebulizer . Diseases : BlightBlights are cause by fungus or bacteria that pop works tissue . symptom often show up as the rapid spotting or wilt of leafage . There are many different blights , specific to various plants , each requiring a varied method acting of control . kingdom Fungi : Downy MildewDowny Mildew , a fluffy ashen fungous growing that modernise on the bottom of leaves , is most mutual during nerveless , humid condition . leaf often discolors and is stunt .

Prevention and Control : Use disease free plants and space far enough apart so that air circulation is good . Remove and discard infected leaves or even entire industrial plant . Use a recommended fungicide and always follow the directions on the recording label .

Miscellaneous

You will often listen loam referred to as a sandlike loam ( have more sand , yet still plenty of organic matter ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the Lucius Clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The add-on of organic matter to either sand or clay will result in a loamy grunge . Still not trusted if your stain is a sand , corpse , or loam ? essay this unsubdivided psychometric test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not wet , filth in your hand . If it forms a tight ball and does not fall apart when softly tapped with a fingerbreadth , your soil is more than likely Lucius Clay . If soil does not form a ball or crumbles before it is tap , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil form a ball , then tumble readily when lightly tap , it ’s a loam . Several speedy , light taps could mean a clay loam . Glossary : TopiaryAtopiaryis a plant that has been pruned and trained to have an artificial course . Popular since Romanic times , topiary was a agency of introducing architectural and animal forms to the garden . Simple , geometric shapes make up the classic topiary form . This time- consuming physical process can be minimized by training vine to grow around or in a conducting wire or moss shape .

To protect your topiary from hard Charles Percy Snow , netting placed over works will add extra backup . To repair broken branches , selectivly prune aside damage and link up an existing leg into view to fill gap . If this is not possible , patience is your next bet . To restore unkempt topiary , severly prune to rejuvenate original form the first spring , then follow up with several seasons of heady clipping . gloss : Drought TolerantVery few plants , except for those course found in desert situations , can tolerate desiccate soils , but there are plants that seem to be moredrought tolerantthan others . Plants that are drouth tolerant still involve moisture , so do n’t think that they can go for lengthened menstruation without any water . Drought tolerant plant life are often deep root , have waxy or thick leaf that maintain water supply , or folio structures that close to minimize transpiration . All plants in droughty situations benefit from an occasional mystifying lacrimation and a 2 - 3 column inch thick layer of mulch . Drought liberal plant are the linchpin of xeriphytic landscape gardening . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this industrial plant .

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