How to Troubleshoot Dwarf Burford Hollies

Holly Leafminer

• 1

  Look closely at the leaves for small bumps, tiny punctures, pale green squiggly lines, leaf distortion and tiny brown spots. The presence of these symptoms is indicative of a holly leafminer infestation.

• 2

  Watch the shrub for small black flies. Holly leafminers are the larvae of these black flies, which lay eggs within holly leaves. The small bumps are the eggs or larvae, and the squiggly lines are the result of the larvae feeding on leaf tissue. The leaves gradually turn yellow and fall from the shrub.

• 3

  Kill the eggs or larvae within the leaves by pinching the bumps and crushing them. Remove any fallen leaves from the area and place them in the trash. Use insecticidal spray to treat severely infested shrubs. Water the shrub generously twice a week in the absence of rain to help it recover.

Scale

• 4

  Check the leaves and branches for scale insects when the Dwarf Burford holly appears to be suffering from a lack of water but has not been subjected to unusually dry conditions. Scale insects are 1/8-inch long or less and look like patches of light to dark tan scales that can be scraped off with a fingernail.

• 5

  Look at the whole shrub for a generalized wilting appearance and yellow leaves. Its leaves, twigs or entire stems may die from scale infestation. Look for clear, sticky honeydew on the leaves. Black, sooty mold may develop on the patches of honeydew. Watch for unusually high populations of ants, flies, wasps and bees, which are attracted to the honeydew.

• 6

  Remove heavily infested stems. Scrape the insects off by hand or with a small stiff brush if the infestation is light. Water the shrub generously twice a week and give it fertilizer to help it recover. Give the holly and any nearby shrubs a good general pruning if necessary to make sure there is room for good air circulation. Check nearby shrubs for scale insects as well and treat them accordingly. Treat the shrub with dormant spray, horticultural oil or insecticides if the infestation is severe.

Iron Chlorosis

• 7

  Check the holly leaves for yellowing tissue between the leaf veins, especially on young leaves. This indicates iron chlorosis. The veins commonly remain bright green. Iron chlorosis occurs when hollies are planted in soil that has an alkaline pH. Alkaline soil makes it difficult for a holly shrub to absorb iron and other nutrients from the soil.

• 8

  Consider recent weather. Extreme weather fluctuations can cause similar symptoms. When the weather has been normal and the holly has been getting sufficient water, the symptoms are indicative of iron chlorisis. While the Dwarf Burford holly is less likely to struggle in neutral to slightly alkaline soils than other types of holly, it can still be a serious problem.

• 9

  Spray the shrub with iron sulfate, iron chelate or soluble organic iron complex for quick relief. Have the soil tested by the local extension office to confirm the diagnosis and get a recommendation for long-term treatment.