3 early June transplanted inkberries have struggled to survive and became heavily defoliated on the lower part of the plant. Watered them plentifully, put on root stimulator and they did send out new top growth. Now almost August and lots of remaining lower leaves are yellowing and dropping. Should I consider them a loss and replace?
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inkberry leaves yellowing
Submitted by skjsgrdnr on July 27, 2009 - 8:57am.
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Inkberry Hollies
I think two factors are at work here. First the stress of transplanting. Even though it has been a great year there is still stress whenever a plant is moved.
The second and most important factor is that inkberries tend to drop their lower leaves. This results in a leggy looking plant. This is the problem Craig is addressing I think.
Inkberry are probably best placed at the back of a bed where just the tops show.
So bottom line these plants may make it through the transplanting but never expect full leaves to the bottom of the plant.
Hope that makes sense - Dennis
Johnson County Extension
inkberry hollies
Your reply made perfect sense. Thanks. I didn't know they tended to drop their lower leaves so planted 4 more! They seem so nice and full to the base right now, so guess I will have to plan on adding something in front of them as they drop leaves. Is it normal for leaves to yellow and drop during the growing season for a healthy inkberry?
Dropping Leaves
Yes, it is normal as even evergreen plants lose their older leaves on the inside of the plant. This happens sometimes all at once and other times it is very slow and never noticed.
Dennis - Johnson County Extension
Mine too
While we wait for some more expert commentary I'll mention that the same thing happened to my five inkberries. One eventually died but the others filled out on top over a couple of years. So mine lived but I don't think I'd buy any more of them. In fact, I'm looking for better alternatives for other parts of my shade garden. - Craig