How to Troubleshoot a Burford Holly

Burford holly is a small shrub or tree that gets 15 to 20 feet tall. It is a Chinese holly with glossy, 2- to 3-inch long, dark green leaves that start out smooth and oval and develop spiny edges with age. Use Burford hollies in formal gardens where their compact size responds well to shearing and shaping. The holly is remarkably adapted to almost any soil and does not require any special care. Burford holly produces tiny white flowers in summer that become dime-sized red berries, which add to the ornamental character of the plant. Burford hollies are self-fertile and do not need another Burford holly to produce berries. The plants are largely disease-free and have only a few insect pests.

Things You'll Need

• Soil test kit
• Water hose
• Insecticidal soap
• Pruners

Instructions

1. Perform a soil test to determine if there are adequate amounts of nutrients in your planting space. The soil test kit is all inclusive. Put soil in the container, add the appropriate activator, shake and compare the color with the chart that comes with the test. Add fertilizer higher in any of the nutrients in which your soil is deficient. Nutrient deficiencies can cause the plant to decline.

2. Adjust the pH of the soil. The soil test kit also measures the soil pH. Burford holly performs best in soils with a pH level from 6.1 to 6.5, which is moderately acidic.

3. Mix in pine needles or bark compost to increase the acidity of the planting site. Improper pH will weaken the plant, since it will not be able to draw adequate nutrients. Yellowing leaves indicate a soil that is too alkaline for Burford holly.

4. Look for insect pests that reduce the vigor of the plant and cause discolored foliage. Aphids are small, winged insects that cluster on buds and new leaves. Scale is either a hard- or soft-bodied insect that resembles a flat, warty bump on the stems. Blast the aphids off with a hose. Apply insecticidal soap until the scale problem is gone.

5. Prune off the top one-third of newly transplanted holly plants that are brown at the edges. The plant is likely experiencing transplant shock.

6. Check the drainage by digging a 3-inch deep hole, and putting a hose in to fill the excavation. Let the water fill the hole, and then turn off the hose. If the soil puddles after half an hour, the plant is in a site that drains poorly. Mix 3 to 5 inches of compost around the roots of the plant to improve the drainage

References

• The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Mr. Smarty Plants- Ilex Cornuta
• Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science: Burford Holly- Ilex Cornuta 'Burfordii'
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture; Burford Holly; Gerald Klingaman; November 19, 1999
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Ilex Cornuta 'Bufordii'; Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson