What's eating my blue prince holly?

Blue Prince Holly, the male pollinator partner to Blue Princess, is susceptible to holly leafminer, scale insects, and southern red mites — the same suite as all blue hollies. Because it produces no berries, bird activity is limited to shelter use. Deer browse is a threat in areas with high deer pressure.

Blotch or winding yellow-brown mines inside leaf tissue from early summer; repeated infestations reduce plant vigor Apply systemic imidacloprid soil drench in early spring; remove and dispose of infested foliage in autumn

Bronzed, dull stippled upper leaf surfaces in cool spring and autumn periods Apply horticultural oil in early spring before populations peak; miticide spray if infestation is severe

Hard or waxy bumps on stems and leaves; yellowing foliage; sooty mold on honeydew Scrape off light infestations; horticultural oil when crawlers are active; prune and discard heavily colonized branches

Torn foliage and broken stems from browsing, most severe in winter when food is scarce Apply repellent sprays (egg-based or predator-urine products); install physical barriers in high-pressure deer areas