Ilex decidua holly ( Ilex verticillata ) is a deciduous plant that will brighten up any winter landscape with its masses of shining , lustrous red berries . Also known as Black Alder , the shrub ’s branches , ladened with berries well into the winter , are often used for decoration during the holiday time of year . It is found chiefly in the eastern half of the United States .
Anthracnose
The first symptom of this disease is the appearance of brown or tan spot on the leaves of the holly plant . Anthracnose is a fungal disease , and as it progress , the spores of the fungus will appear on the interior of the spots as a bright pinkish or orangish mass . A fungicide should be spray on the plant life start as soon as the spots are noticed and re - applied every two hebdomad until there are no more symptoms . Anthracnose , like all leaf - smear diseases , is most vulgar when the saltation weather condition has been unusually wet , warm and humid . If not treated , the leaves will quickly wilt and drop off the holly plant .
Pythium and Phytophthora Root Rot
Pythium and Phytophthora Root Rot are two common type of fungus that attack the roots of otherwise sizable Winterberry holly bush . Pythium usually pass off in container - plant holly President George W. Bush , while Phytophthora is more commonly seen attacking Winterberry holly shrubs in the landscape painting . The cause of these and other beginning rots is excessively moist grease . stand water can lend to the proliferation of fungus maturation , which attack the tissues of the roots . Make certain your holly bush is planted in well - drain soil , and watch for the unwashed symptoms of root rot , such as yellowing leave-taking , early foliage cliff ( before fall ) and branchlet that are expire . If you suspect your Winterberry holly has Pythium or Phytophthora root putrefaction , douse the soil around the works with a fungicide .
Botryosphaeria Canker
Botryosphaeria canker ( sometimes shortened to Bot canker ) usually only affect Winterberry holly plants that have been stressed due to uttermost climate conditions , transplanting , or another disease . This fungus feign the wood of the plant , acquire under the bark and create morbid , discolored expanse of barque , or cankers . The pestilence encircle or girdle the twigs , cutting them off from the rest of the plant life and causing them to die . The leaf of the Winterberry holly will turn yellowish and fall off untimely , and the outgrowth will begin to give out back ( die from the outer bakshis ) . antifungal agent is not effective , so the best course of action is to cut back away infected twigs and arm as shortly as you detect them , preventing the spread of the disease .
