Holly berries

For holly bushes to bear berries, you must have both male and female plants

Q: We planted holly bushes a couple of years ago wanting to get those bright red berries so there’d be more color in our landscaping during the winter months. They’ve settled in and grown really well except for one thing: no red holly berries! What are we doing wrong? — D.C., Albuquerque

A: Since your holly shrubs have “settled in and grown” I don’t think you are doing much wrong at all. It could be the plants themselves. Holly plants are “sexed.” You’d have needed to plant both female hollies that produce the berries and a male holly plant to pollinate the female when it’s in bloom. If you unknowingly planted only male plants, then, no, you will never get those cheerful red berries. Or if you only have female plants and there’s not a male plant in the area, then, again, no berries.

The way you tell if you’re getting female or male plants is usually by the name of the plant. China girl or blue girl denotes a female plant. Blue boy or blue prince equals male plants. Responsible growers do pay due diligence and tag the plants appropriately. There are a few oddities in the holly world that are able to produce berries without the stress of sexing, but be sure to do the necessary homework to make certain you get the correct variety.

Now, if your treasures weren’t tagged, you might have only one sex of the plant. If you have all females then it’s as simple as planting a male in the area. If there are only males, then you have a hard decision to make. Sacrifice a couple of them and insert true females or find another environmentally acceptable place for a new stand of females. One sure way to know you’re getting female plants is to buy ones that are already sporting a few berries. That way, there’s no doubt as to their sex.

Since you say the plants have done well, I don’t think the way you are taking care of them is a contributing factor. But just in case, be sure to offer your holly the appropriate fertilization. These plants are “acid lovers” and since our soils are on more of the alkaline part of the scale be sure to treat them to a fertilizer giving them the acid they require. You can find fertilizers touting that information on the label saying things like “for acid lovers” or “evergreen fertilizer.” Most nurseries will stock an appropriate food for plants that need a boost so it’s not difficult to find.

However, since your hollies don’t have any berries at all, I’m betting it’s because of a sex thing and easily fixed for the most part.

Q: I was watering earlier this week and noticed lots of black-winged bugs on a young pine tree I have planted near the front door. What are they? Are they harming my tree? And should I do anything for my tree? — L.G., West Side

A: It sounds like your tree is hosting clusters of black aphids, and, yes, they can be quite detrimental to the tree. Aphids usually suck on the plant and then their poop can lead to a fungal infection known as sooty mold. The mold is really bad, so I suggest you treat for the aphids as soon as you can. And here’s how:

First, hose off the tree with the hardest stream of water it can stand, then apply an insecticide that can be applied to your tree safely to get a good hunt. Be sure to spray the soil surrounding your tree while you’re at it to get any ground dwellers at the same time. I’m going to suggest applying a dormant oil spray several times during the winter months to be sure you’ve eliminated the aphids, too. The label will give guidance as to temperature and frequency restrictions but you should treat with a stronger insecticide now, and get those pesky aphids. The future health of your young pine depends on you! Happy Digging In, making your tree healthy.