Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What’s been troubling my holly?

RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
in Problem solving
I have a very large established holly bush, and most of the lower leaves look like this, anyone know what’s going on here? 

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Looks like holly leaf miner to me.  See what you think:

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I agree, mine look like that as well.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
    Yes from looking at that link it could be leaf miner, and looks like there’s not much to be done about it. 🙁 If you know any tricks please share! It doesn’t look great, but another holly nearby doesn’t seem to be affected, luckily. 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Because the adult fly emerges from the leaf and starts laying eggs on new fresh foliage, there's not much you can do to interrupt the lifecycle.  However, the larvae are eaten by some birds, so you may get less damage if you can encourage those by hanging a feeder in or near the affected tree.  I'd also feed the tree by mulching wiith well rotted manure or sprinkling the soil with fish, blood & bone which can only help, even if it is only to help it grow new leaves to replace the damaged ones.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
    Thanks @BobTheGardener That's a good idea re the bird feeder, I don't tend to feed the birds in that part of the garden as it's along the front path, but why not? They could then also help themselves to the aphids on the roses, also growing along the front path. And I'll give the holly a good feed this spring as you suggest. Thanks for the advice!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    You're welcome RSA and are quite right about the birds clearing aphids for you too!  I would choose a mix which will attract the tit family as those are the most likely to eat the larvae.  The tits around here seem to like suet pellets/balls, peanuts and sunflower hearts the most.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Sign In or Register to comment.