White Holly

[Chilliphil]

Has anyone ever come across white holly before? In one of our local woods I like to go walking in there is a single example of this. I've never seen it elsewhere before and there is no more like it in the woods. Over the last few years it doesn't seem to have grown much either.

Is this a one off? Has something caused it to turn white? Or are there other examples out there?

Thanks.

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[Harvestman]

Probably just a bit of natural variation, like an albino animal, but very interesting to see.

 

[david1]

why not try and take a cutting... you could be on to the next must have shrub ?

 

[Chilliphil]

How would I go about taking a cutting of holly? I wouldn't want to damage the plant out in the wild and like I say there isn't much of it there.

I've always found it interesting and go and check it's still there when I'm passing.

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[david1]

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-cuttings.htm/print/

 

[Macaroon]

I think that's a diseased specimen and the white colour is lack of chlorophyll (Sp). The stems that are visible in the pics are deffo not healthy growth wood............

I wouldn't go taking cuttings or moving it anywhere else until you're sure what's caused this, though. I'm sure somebody will be along with the full S.P., and a lot more knowledge than me!

 

[Monikieman]

Not being cheeky but.......it looks a bit dead

Do the branches snap? Stem looks a bit dry and dead and when you mentioned it hadn't grown much?

Just a thought.

 

[xylaria]

my google-fu says mineral deficincy

http://gardening.yardener.com/Problems-Of-Holly

I have had the odd leaves turn white on a chilli after been repotted from indoor windowsil with nice johns 3 to back yard with something missing.

 

[Chilliphil]

If it's dead, it's been dead for the last 5 years or so!!

As you can see there is green holly around it so if it's mineral deficiency then the ground is being rather selective. Next time I'm out there I'll have a closer look at the stem. Not so easy when you're out with a terrier!!

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[Macaroon]

The minerals may well be in the ground in abundance but the plant unable to access them; some trauma caused by insect/rabbit/deer damage? root damage? Some diseased plants can live on for a long time, they just don't thrive.

 

[Coldfeet]

I have spotted some white holly today! I will upload some pics once I get them on my computer.
They were part of the same plant, so could be juvenile leaves or new growth. The plant looks to be like this (2nd and 3rd pictures):
http://mikekategarden.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/every-year-around-we-go-out-and-cut.html

 

[Coldfeet]

Pictures as promised:

 

[Ichneumon]

This is a well known phenomenon in plants, they are called sports.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_(botany)
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=259

The second set of pictures is of variagated holly. This started as a sport and was propagated by gardeners for its attractive appearance.

 

[Macaroon]

Excellent information - Yet again, I've learned something from this forum that I would only have come across through serendipity, if at all. Great stuff, Ichneumon!

 

[HHazeldean]

Excellent information - Yet again, I've learned something from this forum that I would only have come across through serendipity, if at all. Great stuff, Ichneumon!

Have got to ditto that - thanks for the info guys!

 

[Chilliphil]

Thanks for the info, good to know my find wasn't a one off freak!!

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