sky pencil holly dying

Plan - Prep - Plant Your Way To Beautiful Gardens And Landscapes

sky pencil holly dying

by Donna
(Lowell, In)

We planted a sky pencil holly early last fall and now it is dropping all its leaves; however there is green growth at the bottom. Any suggestions on what to do?

Comments for
sky pencil holly dying

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 11, 2011

Sky Pencil Holly Dying
by: Kimberly

Hi Bill, Kimberly here from landscape solutions for you. Thanks for asking the question on your Sky Pencil.

The rain could be a factor in the leaves turning yellow and falling off. Too much water can cause leaves to turn yellow.

You will need also to check and see for some reason if the Sky Pencil is in shock. Take a small sharp knife and scratch the surface of a branch. If it is green the shrub is still alive. If the surface is brown, the shrub could be in shock.

Also check around the leaves and branches for any fungus or possible insects that may have invaded the plant.

Since you have just put a fertilizer down, I wouldn't recommend adding anything more. Do the scratch test, check for insects and fungus. The yellow leaves may be too much water for the Sky Pencil. I have seen this with my own Sky Pencils as well as previous clients. Let us know what you find out.

You can also bring a branch to a local nursery if you feel it may be in shock and have them look at the leaves and branch. Thanks again Bill for asking the question and feel free to ask anytime. Have a great day and looking forward to hearing what you found out.
Kimberly

Jul 10, 2011

Dying Sky Pencils
by: Bill G.

I bought 4 sky pencils early this spring and planted them in 14" pota. the the plants are no larger than 3' tall and were doing well until about two weeks ago when one of them started having leaves dry up and fall off.I added a cup of shrub fertilizer and so far I have'nt seen a lot of improvement. I noticed that it has started to do the same to another plant. We have had a lot of rain lately, I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I really don't want to lose these plants.Please Help.Thank You.

Apr 11, 2011

Sky Pencil Holly Dying
by: Kimberly

Hi Donna, Kimberly here from landscape solutions for you. Thank you for asking the question on your Sky Pencil.

This is not uncommon of Sky Pencils during winter months to have leaves drop off. The green on the bottom is a sign of new growth and the plant is alright.

I would recommend to prune of any dead branches. Once the ground temperature warms up in your area, the Sky Pencil should begin to fill in.

You can also loosen the dirt around the plant and add some organic mushroom compost. This is a wonderful fertilizer that will last up to one year. Great for plants.

Thanks again for asking the question and feel free to ask anytime. Best of luck on your Sky Pencil. Have a great day.
Kimberly

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Invitation - 2 A Landscape Section For Everyone To Ask Questions Or Give Tips

Return To Landscape-Solutions Home

Red Begonia
Original Print
Wall Tile
Bring The Beauty
Of Nature Indoors

Growing Together
Free
Monthly Newsletter
4 Plus Years Of Back Issues

Trees, Shrubs
& Hedges for
Your Home: Secrets for
Selection and Care

Great Information
On Trees
Shrubs
And Hedges

Properly Pruning
Your Plants

Learn The Right Way

Hello Mrs. Kimberly:
From Pamela
Georgia, USA

I believe my Loropetalum
is 100% better.
It truly looks
better than it did
when we 1st planted it. Thank you
for providing me
with EXCELLENT tips
as I was about
to dig it up. :)