Blackberry and Holly - not growing

richard.monaghan86

Hi, 

A holly plant I have had since last year and a blackberry I planted in February (roots and single stem) are having problems growing. The holly has lost almost all leaves and stems and those remaining are blackened; it keeps trying to put out new stems and growth but all turns black pretty quickly. The blackberry has been and remains a single stem, which is now turning black from the top; I thought it was about to start putting out new growth and the stem was very green but this has since receded. They are grown in pots but I have an aronia planted at the same time as the holly that is in complete bloom after looking like a dead stick all winter. Any ideas what to do regarding the holly and blackberry; can they be saved? 

Lizzie27

That's very strange. Are the pots kept in the same place and watered the same?
I don't think the blackberry will grow very well in a pot (unless it's a dwarf variety although I don't know if there are any). They do much better in the ground where the roots can roam. 

richard.monaghan86

They are in the same place and watered the same. The holly may have been slightly watered logged for a while but some additional drainage holes should have stopped that. I think it will come back but the new growth turning black quickly is what I don't understand. Thanks for the advice on the blackberry.

Dovefromabove

Sounds as if the water logging upset the holly. Black stems sounds bad news.