what is the native soil .... does it have the drainage that a pot does????

ken

The native soil has a good amount of clay in it, which doesn't drain too well. Of course, the soil right underneath the inkberries came from the pots the plants came in, and the soil around that is the 50/50 peat moss mix, which also seems to drain very well.

Dig them up and trash the peat moss. It's either bone dry, or soaking wet, since those are the only two stages known to peat moss. Either one is bad. Then replant with minimal to no amendments.

The one time I used a mix such as that, once soaked down, it took about two weeks to dry out. It was specifically for a swamp azalea, that wanted both the acidic conditions, and the soppiness.

The Inkberry is one terrific holly! It has an enormous range (native to New England to Florida) So, sounds like something basic is very wrong as these are generally very hardy and adaptable plants. I agree that peat can be a bad component in the soil if excessive (as it never seems to suck up the water--or let it out once it does!). I bet the problem is one of inadequate moisture--we are in a rather severe drought condition here in NJ and much of the Mid-Atlantic. New plants need more watering more consistently as they have not developed an adequate root system yet. Don't give up on this terrific, American native though!!