My Blue Holly Has Leaf Burn

Wind and Sun

• Plants go through a process called transpiration on which water is lost through pores in the leaves to pull more water up from the roots. Cold and windy weather or even cold and sunny weather can increase the amount of water lost through the leaves. When your blue holly is unable to replace this lost water, its leaves become dry and brown. If wind injury is a persistent problem, consider moving the plant to a different spot or erecting a burlap windscreen to protect it during winter storms. Shrubs can also be wrapped or covered with burlap to protect them from the sun.

Irrigation

• Frozen soil in the winter means less water available to your holly. Water lost through normal transpiration can't be replaced and causes the characteristic brown and dry leaves common to winter burn. Water heavily before a freeze; the University of Minnesota website states that moist soil is warmer than dry soil. Keep your hollies mulched as well. Mulch keeps the soil warm and conserves moisture.

Salt

• Salt is commonly spread on roads in the winter to deice them. As cars drive by, salt is kicked up by their tires and sprayed on bushes near the road. Salt spray can also be kicked up by the wind and cause burn injury. Salty runoff can damage roots made tender by cold temperatures. Moving holly shrubs away from salted areas is recommended by the University of Minnesota, but burlap screens may help reduce salt spray as well.

Late Freeze

• Warm spring weather triggers new growth. This new growth is tender and highly susceptible to freeze injury. When they are fully emerged these injured shoots are usually brown. There isn't much you can do about freeze injuries. Consider moving your hollies out of low, freeze-prone spots. If a freeze is predicted, provide your holly with extra irrigation prior to the freeze.