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

Ilex Crenata defoliating

cork gardenercork gardener Posts: 85
in Plants
i planted a hedge of bare root ilex crenata last February. The foliage yellowed over the year and a lot (but not all) of the plants are now quite defoliated. There are also caterpillars “nested?” In some of the plants. Pics below show an example of a defoliated plant, a cocoon and one of the caterpillars. I don’t know if the caterpillars are related to the plants issues. 
They’re planted in full sun/semi shade in a damp but reasonably well draining site. I don’t know the soil ph but I think it’s close to neutral. 
Would any one have any idea what’s going on?

Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Ilex create needs much more water than box hedging.  I would guess the caterpillars are a big issue.  If they are active now I would spray with a contact spray such as Provado. If not wait till they are active then spray. 
    AB Still learning

  • cork gardenercork gardener Posts: 85
    thanks Allotment boy - I would think they’ve had plenty of water, can ilex tolerate fairly wet conditions? There’s a bit of moss in the lawn adjoining the hedge so it might be wetter than I think. 
    Caterpillars don’t seem to be active yet - haven’t seen any outside the cocoons
    would the yellowing foliage indicate a nutrient deficiency ?
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Does anyone know what the caterpillars are of, I wondered if they are the box blight moth but they have black heads?
    I have 2 ilex crenata in pots that have slightly yellowing leaves and suspect a nutrient or mineral deficiency so advice is needed for me too, please.
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
Sign In or Register to comment.