Question From: Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States
Q: I have 2 well-established holly bushes, male and female. We live in SE Iowa and had a winter with extremely cold wind-chills. My holly leaves are brown 2/3 of the way down the bush and the bottom branches are green. My question is - do I need to prune the top branches, or just leave them alone until the new growth appears before I do anything? My boxwood got "burned" pretty bad as well but the pruning won't hurt it as much. Thank for any tips.
A: Be patient Shirley, there may be live buds under those damaged leaves and when the dead leaves fall new ones will emerge. If the buds have been killed you will have to cut the plant back. The plants are behind schedule so give them time. Fertilizing with Hollytone according to package directions and mulching with an organic mulch will help. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.
