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Blue Girl going native, and other oddities

15 years ago

3-4 weeks ago I planted 3 Blue Girl Hollies (Ilex x meserveae)3-4' tall, and 1 baby blue boy. I noticed in passing the other day that one of the girls had dropped some leaves. I realize even evergreens drop leaves so I wasn't overly concerned. However today I noticed a couple dozen more on the ground. Upon handling, gently, the limbs of this holly dozens and dozens of leaves just fell off. Completely de-nuding several branches. The leaves look very healthy, very green and soft. The branches they came off also look very healthy. I see no bugs or any other obvious problems.

I planted these along with a dozen or so other shrubs in a sandy loam that I had trucked in. I bought an electronic soil tester prior to planting. I tested three separate batches and the PH range was 5.8 - 6. The tester also indicated that nutrient levels were low. I have not added any fertilizer to the soil at all. All are planted on north side of home, but far enough away from any structures to receive any real shade, although all are large enough that they shade their own roots. All have basins which I fill 2x, 2x a week. Being concerned that these shrubs would receive enough water in winter I also installed short sections of PVC pipe so I could get water down at the root level. These also get filled 2x, 2x a week.

I also have some Kalmia Latifolia that is starting to get lots of yellow leaves on the inside of the shrub and a couple Viburnum Rhytidophyllum who's evergreen leaves are starting to yellow and curl. My Heptacodium and a couple Wiegela are staring to get purple tones to the leaves.

I have a couple hydrangea paniculata, skimmia's, cotinus purple smoke and others planted in my native soil and they are all doing wonderfully.

I'm at my wits end. Did I water too much/not enough. Is it the soil. Do I need to prune the girls or will the naked branches leaf out (oh, they do have new leaves at the tips, but thats a lot of naked branch inbetween).

I know this was long and a lot to read but I greatly appreciate any and all help or suggestions.

Comments (5)

Embothrium
15 years ago
I don't like the Meserve hollies as the cultivars sold here are prone to dropping leaves - at least in this region. The main value of this group is that it provides the general appearance of any English holly to those living in climates too cold for it. Judging from your plant list you are probably gardening in Sunset 5 rather than USDA 5 - the USDA zones are what most here are putting in after their screen names as the Sunset system is not nearly as well known and widely used - and do not need to bother with Meserve hollies. English holly does so well here it has become a pest, frequently popping up on undeveloped land near towns and cities.
alexis717_df
Original Author
15 years ago
bboy: Thank you for responding. I'm sorry I don't quite understand when you say "judging by your plant list". I'm in USDA zone 5b. Eastern side of Washington.
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runktrun
15 years ago
alexis,
I certainly am far off on the other coast where meserve ilex are extremely hardy but...I wonder if your leaf drop might be the result of whatÂs happening down by the roots...namely voles. Have you grabbed the plant and gently tried to move it from side to side? kt
Embothrium
15 years ago
The other broadleaf evergreens you have mentioned wouldn't be expected to persist over there. The kalmia should be hardy except in the mountains, where the cool, moist atmosphere and acidic pH it needs might be present but the winters too cold. Even on this side of the mountains this shrub can be touchy. The skimmia would not be expected to overwinter. The viburnum might live for some time if you are in the milder climate of Walla Walla or similar area - and the soil etc. is suitable.
alexis717_df
Original Author
15 years ago
Kt: No I haven't tried moving the plant from side to side. I just raised the soil of my yard 12" so I didn't consider varmints being in it so soon. But I'll check. Thank you

bboy: I'm in Spokane. I had a Kalmia at my last house here and it seemed to do fine. I planted four Skimmia's last fall and they are doing wonderfully. They've put on some real nice growth in the last month and a half. They overwintered very well. No broken branches and no tip burn at all. I've never tried Viburnum before, so we'll see.

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